Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-20
MORE DETAILS
Concerning the Death of Henry James
ON Shelby street.

Additional particulars learned yesterday
about the recent conduct OF the unfortunate
Henry James, who shot himself TO death on
Shelby street Wednesday evening,
count of which was published in the APPEAL
Thursday morning, very strongly suggests
that the killing was accidental and not
viIIfuI suicide. In conversation with Mr..
Moore, his brother-iu-lsw by marriage with
James, sister, the APPEAL learns that dur
ing the past two or three weeks he has been
little cranky on the subject OF self-destruc-
ton. A week or so ago ne went TO drug
eist on Main street and purchased a quantity
OF rat poison, requesting the drug merch ant
to be sure and give him enough to kill
great number OF rats. He took the
package home, and showing it TO his
vile declared his intention of killing
himself with it. He had said so ire
quently to her that he would commit suicide,
and as often failed to carry out his threats,
that she paid no attention to him. A short
time atterward he came into the room with
a goblet or cup of water, into which he
robred some white powder from package
similar to the one containing the rat poison,
drank il down, and commenced a series of
antics that go alarmed his wife that che
aroused the neighboThood with her screams.
Mr.. Moore and Mr.. Sullivan, the latter also
James, brotber-in-law, worked" with him
several hours trying 10 "bring him round"
during which the package of rat poison, in
tact and unbroken, was discovered, which
convinced them that James had been play
ing 'possum. Last Sunday he began his
tantrums again, and Moore and Sullivan
suggested to him TO Join them in a skih-ride
across the river, thinking they would test his
intention OF destroying himself by giving
him an opportunity 10 drown himself if he
wanted to-their object, of course, being,
if hes made the attempt, to rescue
him, and adopt such measures as
would prevent the man from really
killing himself. The trip across the river
was made, but James made no effort toward
availing himself OF the opportunity afforded
to quit this mournfu vale. While on the
Arkansas side the two brothers-iu-lsw took
occasion to lecture james about his foolish
conduct, pointing out the trouble he was
giving his young wife-to whom he had been
married to but about six weeks-and the
annoyance he was giving his sisters, Mrs.
Moore and Mrs. Sullivan. He gave evidence
of repentance and promised to behave him
self, and the party returned 10 this side OF
the river. Nothing mere was thought about
the matter until Wednesday evening, between
and 6 o'clock, when he went into Sui
livan's shop with pistol in his hand, -four
| ishing it about IN reckless manner. He
| continued this conduct but moment or two,
when he suddenly threw the pistol up 10 his
head, exclsimiug "Well, boys, here
she goesw pulled the trigger, discharging
the contents OF the pistol into his
brain, causing almost instant death.
| Mr.. Moore says be does not be-
lieve James intended to kill himself, but
was putting up a bluff TO annoy his friends,
and unfortunately fred too low. He wac
not addicted to hard drsnking, and was
generally industrious. The little scenes re-
ported TO have TRANSFERRED between James
and his wife are regarded az OF too trivial s
| character upon which to base theory as to
the cause. His remains were inferred yes
terday by his friends.