, 1880-01-18


Augustine e Hall, who has oficiated as
Constable at large, with headquarters at diff
ferent Justices Offices, but mainly at the
committed suicide at his rooms in the Corigan
Block, corner Of State street and Hubbard
court, yesterday between the hours Of 10 and
II, by shooting himself through the brain
with 32calibre revolver. He had been sick
for the last few weeks, and his wife thought
that he had soften1ng of the BRAIN She stated
yesterday that he had threatened to take his
own life several times, and she was guarding
against any such event.
Yesterday morning he remained in bed
later than usual His wife arose at the uyual
time and busted herself about her house
hold duties until after . o'clock, when she
prevailed upon him to get up and eat some
breakfast He told her that he would get Up
and get some coffee, to please her; He dld
went out into the kitchen, and while there
lady friend called, named Mrs Duncan.
Hearing her voice, Mr. Hall called out,
"Hello, Annie, is that you; how are you?"
Directly after this the women heard the re-
Port ct pistol and rushing r. 4sy fo9nd t,1s4
entered at his temple, upon the right side
Of the head, and must have produced Instant
death. His right hand laid over the side Of
the bed, and the revolver which had done the
work laid upon the floor near By. Dr.. Tucker
and other medical men were sent for, but
they could, of course, do nothing.
An inquest was held upon the remains at
about noon. The testimony elected was to
the effect that the deceased had made several
attempts to take his own life before. Only
last Wednesday he went to the woodruff
House, engaged room, locked himself inside,
and took large dose Of landanum. He was
discovered, however, in time to save his hfe-
He went home to his wife. who did not
know what had become 'ot him 1t was Like
wise brought out that he had been in the
within a month or two. since which time he
has remained sober. One object assigned for
committing the rash act was that he was the
defendant in one OF two criminal cases
brought against him on the charge OF EN-.
bezzlenent Of funds which he had COLLECTED
against him in the Criminal Court suit III
which he appealed from a SIS fine 1nl-
posed upon him by Justice Summer
field for arresHng a woman at midnight and
spiriting her away, and refusing TO ALLOW aer per
him to do so. There was also case against
him brought by one Kern, Halsted street
furniture man, who charged Hall with
swindling him out Of $40 worth OF goods.
His bonds in this case were forfeited about
week ago, since which time an officer has
been hunting for him to procure his arrest.
The deed was evidently, premeditated, as
his wife and one or two other ladies asserted
that he endeavored, under one pretext or an
other, to get his wife to leave him He also
doubtless was expecting Mrs. Duncan, for
as soon as she arrived and attracted the at,
tention OF his wife from him he committed
The Suicide was about IS years Of age, and
left wife, but no children. He had been a
Constable for three years, and his reputation
as an officer was not of the best. He was un-
der bond to appear before the Criminal Court
ice. ETC.. and it was believed that this had
Something som to do with his desire to destroy
himself. The Coroner's jury brought in q
verdict of "sricide while laboring under ut
of mental aberration.o