The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-04
TIRED OF LIFE.
DEPLoRABLE DEATH OF A WELL
KNOWN YOUNG MAN.
Dick Murrell, In Fit OF Dependency,
Consequent Upon Nights OF Insomnia,
Takes Forty Grains OF Morphine and
Expires in an Hour.


Expires in an Hour.
Dick Murrell, as clever young man MS
ever handled gripsack or opened sam
pie trunk, suicided yesterday afternoon be-
tween 2 and 8 o'clock. The news spread
quickly along Main street and was soon
the subject Of regretful comment on the
part Of the legion of friends and acquaint-
ances he left behind him. There is no
conceivable motive for the deed. The
only plausible solution is that in fit Of
dependency he rashly determined upon
selfdestruction and carried his purpose
into execution before there was time TO
reflect. Various causes are assigned for
the melancholy mood into which he seems
to have fallen Of late. His failure Of late
TO obtain employment was probably the
moving cause Of his gloomy frame Of mind.
For years he had been in the employment
man. Last spring he obtained posi-
ton with Friedman Bros, but re-
signed OF his own accord about
two months ago. Since then he has been
without employment, and that fact seems
TO have preyed upon his sensitive nature.
For the last two or three days he had been
drinking somewhat, but not inordinately.
Yesterday, about noon, inc visited the
wash-room Of the Peabody hotel, and got
Horace, the colored man who has charge
Of the place, TO brush the dust of his
clothes, for which service he paid him
dime. lie complained OF feeling badly,
and spoke Of having lost considerable sleep
lately. A few minutes later he visited the
bar-room Of VIM. Irwin, on Monroe street,
but took no liquor there. lie simply, after
n brief talk, shook hands with Mr.. Irwin
and said. "Wcll, good bye, old fellow; II
we never meet again, hello" Mr.. Irwin
thought nothing OF his strange behavior,
and dismissed il as harmless pleasantly.
About o'clock he stopped at Goodbar
| 4 Co. =, No. $40 Main, and spent some
time in conversation NJ the door with Mr..
Jim Rucks and Mr.. Tom Foster, old and
valued friends Of his lloappcared TO them
unusually melancholy and said in course Of
conversation, "Oh. Pm tired Of life; be-
licvc III jump into the river"
Mr. Rucks jocularly remarked: "Don't
fail 10 give us notice when the act is to
come of"
No one suspected, and least Of all Mr..
Rucks, that the unfortunate young man
really contemplated self.dcstruction.
Mr.. Murrell had a bottle in his pocket
which he accidentally exhibited. Mr..
Rucks asked what IL was and was informed
that IL was cologne. lie said, LET me see
IT," The request was refused. Mr.. Rucks
grabbed for il, n struggle cnsued and Mr..
Rucks got the vial, which was wrapped in
paper. Unfortunately he failedto open il.
Mr.. Murrcll insisted that IL he returned 10
him, and at last got angry, and throwing
his hand behind him MS II TO draw a
weapon, said: III YOU don't give me that
bottle you'll get hurt" After some fur.
thcr delay the bottle was handed back 10
him and hlurrcll proceeded down
Main street In the direction Of
Sturla's, corner Main and GayOso, where
he boarded. This was about O'Clock.
About half an hour aftcrward James u.
Murrcll, the brother Of the deceased, came
along, aud was cautioned 10 watch his
brother, m he was acting strangely. lie at
once rushed 10 Sturla's hotel, and found
his brother on the bed, stripped 10 his un-
dorclothcs, In q siupor and breathing heav-
ily. by his side was a bottle labeled,
"Sulphatc Of Morphia, Ono.cighth Ounce"
all but few grains OF which were gone.
In vain lac tried 10 arouse hint was too
late. Doctors were quickly summoned.
DIR. Minor was tho firt 10 arrive; nitcrward
DIR. W. W. Taylor and then DIR. Erskinc,
hut medical science was unayailing, aud ut
go o'clock the young man brcathod his
last.
lie was promptly removed TO HOSTS. 10
await such disposition ~ his family may
direct
The deceased was about thiriy-scvon
years Of age, above the medium height,
Of slender build and had the appearance,
manner and habits OF well bred gentle
man. Ills hair was Of light red color,
but scant. lie wore mustachc of the
same color aud short whiskcrs. lie was
universally liked by his associates and
business acquantanccs aud stood we'll
with all who knew him. His intimate
friends speak Of him asa high-toncd, hon
oable gentleman, incapable Of n low,
mean or cowardly action. They cannot
but believe that his rash act Of yesterday
was the insult Of temporary abstraction
Of mind, for which they are unable 90 nc.
count except upon the theory that his
natural scnsitiycncss became intensified by
want Of employment, and that few nights
| Of insomnia caused such q nervous ten.
sion ~ 20 unset his reason. They arr con.
WINGED that II he had been nj himself lac
would have been incapable Of an attempt
upon his own life.