The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-26
A SAD END.
SUDDEN DEATH OF A YOUNG PHYsIcIAK-DIs-
TnEssINa CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING ELS

SUDDEN DEATH OF A YOUNG PHYsIcIAK-DIs-
TREssINa CIRCUMSTANCES PRECEDING EIs
DENISE.
Dr. John Fitzgerald O'Connor, at one time enjoying
profitable practice 10 this city, found dead IN
his room yesterday at the Bristol House. NO io'
Chambers street Deputy Coroner Goldschmdt took
tho case charge, could not ascertain the cause
OF dealn by an outward examination, as
there were no marks OF violence on the body,
or other suspicious surroundings which would sug-
COST Il TO BIO case OF suicide In the vase OF de-
ceased found phia oil mfrphine. but 1t was full
to the cork. The body w.s removed to Harris
undertaking establishment at Prince and Crosby
streets, where autopsy win be held to-day.
DR.. o'connor born in Tarbert, county Kerry
Ireland, thrty-seven years ago. He received good
English education and gave promise OF nnc ability.
He came to thus country 1851. Soon aIterward ne
got employ mont AS q dIaughtsmap, and being clever
al the business Sot along very Wen 70, na
taken TO ST. Lukes Hosptafo for medical treatment
and on mis- recovery began tho study Of medicine IN
New York University, from which ne graduated IN
1869. settled down 10 yractlce IN this cny he was
appointed sanitary inspector 70 the Board
OF Health IN 1873 and hold the position few years.
About this first contracted Incorporate habits
Subsequently OConnor was admitted 20 the bingam-
ton Insbriate Asylum. II appears that he became
such victim to Inc vice OF ,nteperance later that
he had lost ell standing in his profession and among
his friends.
House, where he known. He asked TO see The
landady, MISS StapIeton, and 10 her he made known
his destitute circumstances, and requested 10 be
permitted 10 remain tor lew days. he hostess at
once iurnisned him with room and ordered that he
be supplied with the best OF everything except
liquor. This she forbid him receiving at ALL
O'Connor then very nervous from inc
effects Of long debaucb, ana the good natured
Iandlady relented In the morning whom she
saw his exhausted condition. and she herself
supplied him with small but occasional rations Of
whisky. On has putting up at the BRISTOL House ne
addressed letter to lady fricnd in Rockaway ad-
visng her OF his whereabouts The composition OF
this letter evidently must have cost MIN hard
struggle, as no less tnan seven pages Of note paper
comple ed beginning OF this oiter which read as iol
lows:-
am staying at No. 1877 Chambers street with Mrs
ticket which in an evil hour bought leaving
less my The woman am stopping with Tor
tunately knew some thing OF me In former times
THE kSE
In response to this commun caton the lady to whom
IL addressed arrived at the hotel from Rockaway
last Saturday afternoon she was deeply distressed
TO lind him In such sad condition. She told MISS
Stapcoa 10 supply him with all nsedful necessaries
and TO furnish him with room. The Rockaway lady
pledged herself responsible for thu ayment OF the
bill On Sunday OConnOr lett the hotel and met with
some old acquainianc who supplied him with drink,
aud late nj night no carried 10 his room III gross
state of In oxicaon. Ou Monday he complained that
he had Injured himself the previous day by falling.
He said had broken his short rib on the left side,
but yesterday the pain passed away and he said that
he mistaken, that NO bones were broken after al.
lie the morning he was seen around the hotel sober
and apparently in good health He told MISS staple
ton LADY he engaged 10 be married
cali to him IN the afternoon.
He complained OF not having had any sleep for two
nights previously and SAID tnat no would lie down tor
few hours that ne would be the better prepared 70
receive his lady friend in the afternoon. At one
O'Clock Miss Stapletou went 10 his room TO call him,
and partially opening the door she was appalled, TO
him lying dead on the bed. He must have died
without struggle as his features were composed as
if IN sleep, while neither the body nor muscles were IN
the contracted.