The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-09
DISAPPOINTMENT AND DEATH.
A Lover Kills Rimseif In the Presence or
Three Ysuna Ladies.

Victor Davis Carlton Butler shot himself
in the head in tho presence of three young la
dies. at 201 Seventh avenue yesterday after
noon. Immediately ufterward Coroner Flana-
gan was notified but at a late hour last even
ing. In default OF permit Of removal. the dead
man lay where he had thrown himself iust as
he fired the shot. He was about 43 years Of
age. He had occupied his present quarters
with the family OF Mr.. Samuel j. Clark for
three months. Before that time he lived throo
years In an adjoining house. He was. thore-
FORE well known in tho neghborhood not only
for his agreeable manners. but for his
weakness. which was drink. When not
under tho influence OF liquor his conduct won
him many friends. and among them were the
members OF Mr.. Clark's family. He formed I'm
attachment for the eldest OF the three daughters
Of tho family. and Mr.. Clark not desiring the
alliance had requested him to move. Ho was TO
have done yesterday. The request was made
several DAYS ago. Butler seemed TO consider
his suit hopeless and he drank His conduct
caused an alteration with his employer. Joseph
Hayward of ia Fulton street and he quit the
store on Monday. Since then he had been at
home most Of the time and under the influence
OF liquor. 1t is believed that he was crazy from
the effect of liquor. He brooded over all his
troubles.
Butler was. 80 he said, born in Georgia. and
his family was an excellent one. His mother
left property In trust for him with sister now
living In Baltimore. Tho income, together with
his salary, gave him sufficient means to live
comfortably. His father, who moved from Vir-
ginia when his mother died. lives in Hartford.
Conn. and is said TO be wealthy. Twelve years
ago. presumably on account OF his habits. his
wife was divorced from him, and since then no
has been estranged from his family. His wife
took with her their five children. The scpara-
tion from them and his wife. whose whore
abouts he never spoke OF. was one Of his great
est sorrows.
In the days OF inebriety preceding HIS death
he said that he had been married. twice and
once he said three times He continually re-
counted his past troubles and irooded over his
disappointment He threatened to shoot him
self. or by some other means take his own life.
He said yesterday afternoon that he would
never nGver quit Mr. CIarks house but . would be
not TO permit his boIy 10 be taken TO the
Potter's Field. Tho family, thinking from The
openness with which he spoke Of suicide. and
also his pleasant manner during lucid periods.
that he would not execute his throat made
light Of i to him. At about ?. NJ Mrs. Clark
and her three daughters were with him in his
room. He began talking OF killing himself.
He desired to throw himself out Of the window.
length took his revolver out OF y bureau drawer
and put II In his hip pocket Then he sat down
before the open fire. and became moro quiet.
Gazing pensively into the nre. no started
suddenly saying ovad ,". see nell before snG,
toek rqss reyoTep %qV'd ro% hs the
and said: It's no use: I'm going to commit
suicide" Something in his tone convinced the
young ladies that this threat was AN earnest
one. Instinctively the eldest and Youngest fed
past him and from tho room. Before the other
girl could. by voice or action, interfere. he threw
himself upon his back on the bed. and saying
God. forgive mer' pulled the trigger.
the bullut was nearly half an inch In diane
ter. IL crushed through his head from near the
right temple. A physician was quickly sum
moned. but the pulse had almost ceased TO beat
when he arrived. An officer sent 10 keep
watch until the Coroner's permit should allow
an undertaken to remove II. His father In Hart
ford was informed OF the suicide. and II is ex-
pected that he will arrive to-day. Miss Clark
to whom Butler was attached. Is slightly Grip
pied. and owing TO the shock she was under the
physicians care last evening.