Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-25
Who Fires Bullet Into His Own Head
and Drops Dead.
HE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY.
Investigation and Verdict of the Core
ner's Inquest.
ILL HEALTH SUPPOSED CAUSE.
Sketch of the Life of the Deceased
His Last Day and Last Time
Seen Alive.

The present Is an era OF suicides, SUD
den deaths and fatalities Grim death
within the past few weeks, has visited st
Paul in quick and shocking succession
Twice recently her sable wing has dark
oned the community, which has beer
amazed and Mortified at the extraordinar.
taking of of two of her best known anC
honored citizens. Each time suicide hal
been the argument and tho pistol the ar
bitter of seemingly untimely fate.
In the suicide of William Fl. Albright
the public are still at loss for an adequate
motive.
Yesterday ST. Paul was more Mortified
if possible, in the suicide of Justus G
Ramsey, Esq. pioneer settler and ons
of her most respected and honored eiti
zens. The tragic affair took place about
9:15 o'clock yesterday morning and
happened as follows
At the residence Of Mr.. George Rochat
No. SO West Third street, Mr.. Ramsey
was found in his apartment at 9:55 O'Clock
yesterday morning with bullet hole in
his right temple.
About 9 o'clock Mrs. Rochat. who
occupies the rooms on the ground floor,
heard a peculiar sound in the apartment
above, occupied by Mr.. Ramsey; il
sounded, she said, as though he was put
ting q stick of wood in the stove.
Nothing more, at that time, was thought
of the occurrence. At 9:35 o'clock Mr..
Rochat went up stairs to ascertain the
state of Mr. Ramsey's health, as he was
complaining the night before of not feel
ing well On opening the door of the
apartment his gaze encountered fearful
spectacle. Mr.. Ramsey lay on the floor,
in his night clothing, dead.
The body was still warm and at that time
noticiclng no injury about his appearance
The lay on his right side, thus concealing
the wound) Mr. Rochat hastened for
assistance Mr. Orlemann and DR.. Stamm
were called and from curSory look at
the remains the latter supposed he had
died of apoplexy However, it was de-
cided to not touch the body until the
arrival of the coroner. At this juno
turC a
HORRIFYING DISCOVERY
was made A revolver was noticed ly-
ing on the floor near the dead mans feet
DR.. Davenport was at once summoned
On entering the room he raised the head
from the floor, and there, in the right
temple was the tell-tale bore of the bullet
4 pool of blood on the carpet where the
head had rested, and the revolver at the
side of the body, near the feet, with ono
chamber empty, told the rest of tht
story.
The revolver with which the deed wa:
done was large Smith & Wesson, aavy
pattern, 92-calibre, six shooter. One o.
the shells corresponding to the hole il
the temple was empty.
THE INQUEST.
Coroner Davenport at once proceeded
to hold an inquest. A jury was empan
nelled, consisting of the following wei
known citizens: Col Robertson, fore
man, J. P. Lightner, J. P. Pond, G. P
Proal, J. r. McMasters and j. A. Wanzer
GEORGE RoCHAT.
Mr.. Geo. Rochat was first sworn. Witness
had known the deceased; had known him TWEEN
ty-one years; deceased had lived with hin
twelve years; saw him last on Sunday evening
at 6 P. NJ; found him on the floor dead at 9S,
o'clock; he was lying with head near door
dressed in his night gown; revolver wal
near his feet; had not heard report of pistol
had heard nothing unusual; the wife of witness
had heard something fall about 9 o'clock
deceased had not been we'll for year: he wa
nervous and irritable; he was all right mental
ly; a girl took care of the room. BY Juror
The body was warm when found; no one coul,
get in the room without witness hearing them
A Waverly novel was shown which had bee
found at the head of the bed. Deceased ha
evidently been reading the night before, a
was his custom, as the place where he left o1
was marked.
DIR. DAVENPORT.
DIR. Davenport testified to the position O
the body when found. The body rested on th
right side; the revolver was near the feet; on
chamber was empty, and there was q bulle
hole in the right temple and blood on the fiooI
DIR. HAND.
DR.. Hand, the next witness, had known th
deceased; had attended the deceased profes
sionally; he had been troubled with dyspepsi
and valvular disease of the heart had see
him ten days ago; he was constipated an
had to take medicine he was subject to rapi
beating of the heart, and at times became q
most frantic; he had been much depressed
spirits during the past three weeks; he wa
also depressed mentally; his trouble wa
organic disease of the heart, associated wit
functional disturbance; thought his physics
trouble had produced mental disturbanc,
during his attacks he was gaeatly in fear {
death; he sometimes became disheartened an
wished for death.
By Col. Robertson-He suffered from de
preston Of spirits; his ailment was such as [
make him believe that life was not worth tl
living. Witness thought the act was commit
ted on sudden impulse; did not think it ha
been deliberately planned; did not suppose
resulted from mental arrangement
Mr. Rochat was reeallsd-Witness did n,
know that the deceased had a revolver.
Mr.. Greenleaf Clark, who occupies an apar
ment on the same floor, was sworn. Witnes
had known the deceased; saw him at breakfa
Sunday morning; witness testified as to Il
position of the body, as already described;
ceased had been in i'll health of late; he suffer,
intensely from what he called dyspepsia;
was depressed and disinclined to talk; he W,
careful about his diet, eating nothing but ligl