New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-13
SUICIDE OF HENRY J. HALL.
A PISTOL SHOT IN THE FIFrH-AvE. HOTEL.
THE RESULT OF Low SPIRITS AND DIsEA5E-SO EyIs
nkNCg oE IxsANITy


THE RESULT OF Low SPIRITS AND DIsEAsE-yo EvI
DENCE OF INSANITY.
The sound of a pistol shot, followed by tho
screams Of a woman. caused much excitement on an
upper floor of the Fifth Avenue Hotel at $3.50 yes
terday Guests and the direction Of tho
screams and entered set OF three rooms the windows
OF which looked out Tweny-third-st. On the floor
OF the bathroom lay the dead body OF an old man. WHO
had shot himself with large British bulldog revolver
Beside the body knelt his wife in great and grief
The dead man wss Henry j. Hall. wealthy Californian
Dr. H. Goldthwae called 10 the ROOM but he could
be Of no service to Mrs. Hall, who hYserca
almost to the verge OF insanity Mr.. Hall had sent
bullet OF 4i-calibre into his right temple and 1t had
passed through his head.
Deputy Coroner jenkins summoned from his
home In Lexington and ked to give permission
an undertaken TO prepare the body burial Dr. Jen
kins was told that Mr.. Hall was wealthy out Of
business who had stayed at tho hotel for parts OF every
winter for several years. 1t his custom travel
about the country and live at hotels In large cltlos
spending part or each summer 10 san Francisco whera
he had accumulated most of his fortune. lie tho
hotel with his wife about three months tor the sst
time. His health not good aud he became greatly
depressed Last Saturday evening his Illness assumed
more aggravated form, and on the following day la
was confined TO his bed. DIR. T. H. Peasee. Of No. -
MadisOp-aye. was called to attend him early Tuesday
and visited him several times. The phys clans latest call
was made on thursday evening wnen MT iaiI appedrOu
to be improving. Not long after Mr.. Halls death Dr.
Paeslee the hotel was astonished at news
which awaited him. To Dr. Jenkins DIR. Peas!ee said
he had treated Mr.. Hall for a attack OF indiges
ton. On Wednesday the patient had shown signs OF iG
provement aud Thursday he lad appeared 10 enjoy
light nourishment Mr. Hall did not exhibit signi
Of insanity although he was restless and depressed
Mrs Pre f. Hall. who Is the sister OF the wife OF
Commissioner Sparks, OF Washington, the widow partly
from the shock ate IN the day and made this
statement to Dr. jenkins;
Ny husband srventyw0 years OF age. He had been
troubled by two years had suffered from
nervous depression to such extent that did not re-
matn long in place There was nothing IN his Goa:
duct any time which led to suppose that he would
commit suicide He became SO Ill on Saturday night
that he obige to remain in bed on Sunday and on
follow ing days. He very restless aud slept very
little last night AT o'clock this morning lie partook of
chicken broth Then he urged me- to go into 1e
sitting-room and my breakfast had been watch
While was eating my breakfast hesId noise in his
Not knowing what To make OF It, went Into his
[ asked him what he wanted and he said
he was going to the bathroom; when ne
have his dressing gown. Fearing that he would take
cold hsstened to the dressing gown aud fol.
and fell dead on the floor Then screamed for assist
ancs and some servants W came The weapon which ne
IL had been his custom TO carry 1t with him every
where.
dertaker to remove Mr.. Halls body from the hotel It
said that the body to be place in Woodlawn
Cemetery aftera simple funeral service at St. Bartholo-
news Church at 10 a. M today
Mr. Hall was q fne-lookug man, OF medium height
and OF full figure with gray hair and
whiskers. He was born at New-Milford, in
Connecticut, but caught the Western fever
early in llfe He captain OF Mississippi Steamboat
for several years. and later generally known as Cap
tain Hall. When the excitement over the discovery OF
gold minesin California its height he was living
St. Louis. and went California TO engage In mining
operations He gained much practical knowledge OF
mining methods and was on the highway 10
wealth. His home in San Francisco for many years
As a specuator mining stocks he unusually fort
He retired from active business several years
ago and began travel with his wife. They had no
and the of fixed place OF residence were
avoided by living hotels In years his changes
city another had become more and more FREE
quent In this city he did not seek large circle OF
acquantauces preferrlng to lead quiet NO. IL was ms
take morning walks in tho park. IN all knd3
OF weather. Mr. Hall WAS highly est1emed by all the
old Calfornians living In New-Iork. His wealth
WAS only moderate.