St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-29
HE WANTED TO DIE.
o. n. Barford Tries TO Commit Sui
eide at the Merchants Hotel.
He Shoots Himself Twice, but Fails
OF Vital Part.

A late arrival appeared at 10 o'clock last
night at the Merchants hotel and registered
himself as D. n. Barford. He was
assigned to No. 9s. a room on the third
floor on the Jackson street side of
the house, to which he retired
Immediately. About 12 o'clock the guests
of the house rOoming ON the corridor on
which No. 90 is located, were aroused by
two loud reports from revolver. George
Allen, son of the proprietor. whose room
is just across the hall, was awakened,
and hastily dressing himself, started to as
certain the cause of the disturbance. When
opposite the door of room 9S he heard a
grOan. and listening for a moment he was
convinced that the occupant was in trouble.
His knocks brought no response and he
burst i'm the door. There the sight which
met his astonished gaze was a sickening
one. A rather pleasant-looking man of
slight frame with blonde NOUS
tache lay in blood upon the
bed. and on the floor alongside was a self
cooking revolver of French pattern with
two cartridges discharged. Medical aid
was at once summoned and Drs. Pitkin,
Ritchie and Quinn were soon on hand CIV
ing their attention and assistance to the
wounded man. He was conscious and up
braided himself for the poor job he had
done, and said that if he could do it over
again he would do il better. He related the
circumstances of his attempt at suicide.
THE FIRST SHOT HE FIRED
he placed the muZZIe of the pistol in his
mouth and pulled the trigger, and then he
placed it over his heart and fired second
time. He attempted to empty some more
loads from the revolver into his body, but
the cartridges snapped and refused TO ex-
LI.. I'll =.
of his pistol, which was a fiye-barreled con-
eern of about % caliOer, requiring pin-tire
cartridge. The physicians examined his
wounds, and, while they did not
consider it expedient to probe for the
bullets, pronounced him to be in no particu-
lar danger. The ball from the first shot
went through the side of his jaw and
lodged under the left ear. The ball which
entered his breast struck about half inch
over his heart. and glancing plowed around
through the fleshy part of his
breast, and is probably lodged
near the cavity of the stomach
He had written several letters addressed
| To parties in Denmark and Chicago, and
also one to his wife, who resides at 573
Robert street, and to whom it was de-
| livered shortly afterwards, she having been
sent for. Mrs. Barford entered the room
and looked upon her husband without
much emotion, and appeared to
be very little concerned over his condi-
tion. She stated that she was a dless-
maker and had not lived with her husband
for several months, he having been in Chi
cago. She stated that he was formerly en-
ployed in the offices of the Manitoba road
as corresponding clerk and had lost his
place about year ago. Since which time
she had supported him, up to the time OF
his departure to Chicago, by the results of
her labors with her needle. Last night Bar
ford suddenly appeared at her house, and
stated that he could not live without her
and had come back. She refused to live
with him again unless he was in condition
to support her, and upbraided him for his
neglect of her, and advised him to go back
to Chicago and try and earn living. as
she would not support him again. The
letter which he had written to her was de-
lIvered by Mr.. George Allen, and was
opened and read by herself. 1t informed
her that when she received it she
WOULD BE A WIDOW,
and that he had killed himself because he
could not live without her. There was also
letter addressed to Col. Allen, begging
his pardon for selecting his hotel in which
to leave the world and requesting him to
see that the other letters were forwarded tC
the addressed parties. He requested the
colonel to send his bill to A. G. Jurgensen,
care of Fredericksen Il Co., 81 South Clark
street, Chicago.
Unless Inflammation sets in, or some
complication arises he will get well, but he
announces his firm determination to die
and SAYS he will make an end of himself al
the first chance. Notwithstanding hi:
desire to die he complained of cold and saiC
to the attending physician ''doctor l wan
to die, but don't want to freeze to death
so make fire." The fire was built and a
8 o'clock this morning he was resting
easily.