Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-15
GEORGETOWN.
Murder or Suicidel

YOUNG MAN DYING FROM PISTOL WOUND IN
THE HEAD.
The people of Georgetown were thrown into
state Of excitement this morning by the report
Of the murder OF young man named Patrick
Fitzgerald, on Capt Resides mail packet Ella.
The facts as thus far developed are as follows:
Patrick Fitzgerald pilot On the boat Ella (and
who is associated with one Lorenzo HILL carrier
Of the mail from this place to Great Falls, was
found in the cabin OF the boat, which lies at the
foot OF Congress street, on the canal, about $3.50
am. to-day In dying condition, lying in
pool OF blood and his head apparently
the boat Ella, found him, and says that he woke
him up about o'clock reminding him that he
had to carry the mail to the Falls, as Hill had
remained there to attend a ball. He says that
Fitzgerald got up and that he saw him about
$50 O'Clock on the street near by-as did also
others-that he seemed in his usual spirits, and
that upon going in the boat about $50 O'Clock,
he discovered him as above stated. The police
were at once notified and DR.. Shecken sent for,
and upon his arrival found that there was no
possible hope for the unfortunate young mans
recovery. An examination showed a wound
just above and little back of the
right temple, as if made by pistol shot or some
sharp instrument. On the floor, beside the
six-sEooter. So callbre, With one shot discharged
and appearances as If the trigger had been at
tempted to be raised for another shot. The
index finger OF the let hand was slightly
clinched, with some discolOration upon it, as If
from powder. One somewhat singular fact
which may seem to controvert the theory of
St lf-destruetion is that the man was left-handed,
and the wound is made over the right temple.
hammer was also found near by. but had
upon it no evidence Of having been used. No
blood spots at all were found upon it. The
strange feature Of the affair is that no one heard
shot or other noise, although there is black
smith shop near by, and people passing the boat
continually. This may, perhaps, be accounted
for by the fact that the cabin was entirely
closed and that the water deadened the sound.
DR.. Sheckells did not deem it prudent, inasmuch
as the man is still alive, to make critical exam
ination as TO the wound and as to where the ball
lodged If the wound was made by pistol shot.
The unfortunate man is still living at this writ
ing Il p. n.y., but has been entirely unconscious
since discovered, and cannot possibly live more
than few hours. Mr.. Fitzgerald is resident
Of Great Falls, and Is 25 years OF age. He is I'M
married, and his father and mother are both dead.
He has always borne a good character, was sober,
orderly and trustworthy, but was much addict
ed to card playing. 1t is said that he was paid
Off Tuesday, receiving between thirty and forty
dollars, and it is suggested that the possible
loss OF this sum at cards may have prompted
him to suicide-if suicide it be. No search has
yet been made, however, for the money, nor to
ascertain If there be any clue to robbery.
ELECTION OF BANK OFFICERs.-The board Of
directors of the Farmers and Mechanics Ma
tional Bank met to-day at noon, and reelected
all the old officers.
For THE EYE OF THE PosTMAsTER.-E1ifo,
.Sd': feel impelled to call the attention of the
Post Office department., through your columns
to what seem TO be Irregularities in the George
town office: During the past six months various
letters known to have been written to the
writer's family, both from the east and west.
have not reached their destination, and other
letters mailed at Georgetown have never since
been heard from. While there is possibility
that the fault is elsewhere, the responsibility
would seem to lie with the Georgetown Office,
and demands rigid scrutiny On the part OF the
two heads OF the department. Y.