New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-14
UNDOUBTEDLY A SUICIDE.
MR.. HOUSTON TEMPORARILY INSANE.

THE CONVICTION YoRCKp UPON HIs TRIENDs-
MONET TRoUBLEs THE CAUSE
The causes which led to the death by suicide OF
Theodore Houston, the well known railroad ex-
pert and former receiver Of the West Shore Rail-
road, were the subject Of much inquiry and dis
cussion yesterday His friends were strongly in
clined at first to the theory Of accidental shoot
ing and sought earnestly to convince themselves
and oilers that Mr.. Houston did not mean to take
his life. The position was soon found to be un-
tenable Coroner Nuscnt, who made a thorough
investigation Of the case, while he was decidedly
not averse to view the matter as accident, was
forced to the conclusion that the preponderance OF
evidence upon the side of q fully formed de-
termination the part of the dead man to COM
NIT suicide. 1t is understood that the family have
reluctantly been obliged to adopt the same cenclu-
SION
DR.. Curtis, of Madison-ave. and West Thirtieth-
ST., Mr.. Houstons family physician aud intimate
friend. said yesterday that unfortunately Mr..
Houston had gone about the matter with the same
directucss that characterized every ACTON OF his
life aud had sent the bullet squarely through his
head from temple to temple.
=" 1 believe" said the Doctor, that Mr.. Hous-
ton was laboring under temporary insanity at the
moment and that the effect Of the shot was to
bring him back TO his senses. When reached
him yesterday morning, soon after the fatal act,
he asked me at once the condition OF his pulse
told him IL was very weak. lie then asked
whether there was any hope for him. l was
obliged to reply, None Whatever lie seemed
then in the full possession OF his faculties and
believe that he bitterly regretted his act
HIS soIIcIIUDE FOR HIS FAMILY
"A week ago he came to me and asked me to
prescribe for him, saying that he felt unnaturaily
at times and that little things, such as ordinarily
he would scarcely notice, troubled him greatly
Since then he called me TO attend his wife, who
was slightly indisposed and ne manifested deep
tiOns with his family were markedly aHcctonatc.
The only thing that could have produced meians
choly in his case the fact that he was out or
employment He had not been engaged in any
regular business since May, 1886 Although pos
sessed Of property he found that his cash resources
were becoming limited, and think this Weighea
upon him so seriously chat he became Tar more
lOw-spirited than any one imagined. HIS Wne
had no suspicion OF MS condition. 1t Is an eX-
ceedngly sad case. for Mr.. Houston possessed eX-
traordinary abilities. and was wonderfully
adapted to the work of railroad management
General Passenger Agent Henry Monett, OF the
NewYOrk Central Railroad, who previously ned
the same position in the West shore Road, SAID
Yesterday: d" | was well acquainted with Mr..
Houston for five years. and | assure you that the
news of his death was great shock 70 me- Whcn
/ first knew him ne was IN charge OF ne eonstruc'
ton Of the West Shore Road south of Nlddlctown.
Personally and officially our intercourse was OIL the
most pleasant character lie was man OF gen
erous impulses and peculiarly genial IN all MS
methods. He pOssessed signal ability IN handing
the business ofrailroading and was IN all respects
IL
predict brilliant future
Al Mr. Houstons nome, No. so NLadisou-avc.,
his young son, who attending Lehlgh Uni
vcrstv and was called from his stssics by the
distressing occurrence. said Last evening that the
family could no longer doubt that the act was n
territorial and the result of mclanch0la. MY
father was not subject to spells OF being low
spirited he said. but he allowed money
troubles to weigh upon him that we had no
TIE CAUSE OF THE RASH ACT.
Mr. H0ustou's daughter who was at VaSsar
has also returned home. The time for the funeral
has not yet been fixed. The family are awaitina
the arrival of Alexander Houston Of Milwaukee
Wis: brother of the dead man.
It WAS admitted by some of Mr. Houston
railroad friends that the probable cause Of his
taking his life was the fear of pecuniary emhar-
BASEMENT lie had been doing little in the last
two years and evidently had become Respondent
about his personal affairs. His Pride and ambl-
fton were almost ilimitable Having been re-
c.iycr of TIN. West Shore Railroad, he was dlsap-
pointed that he had not been sought Tor an equally
high n0sitiou and he too Lroud 10 confess "a
his friends thar he in need Of assistance TIC
NAV have lost small sums in speculation, but ms
EN- barrassmen was not caused by his losses. lte
= sad also to haNr he'd IL hereditary predHpC1l-
ron 10 suicide which his difficulties undoubtedly
aggravated He had grown rapidly old in the last
yea end his intipate friends noted the change
with much concern although il had not prepared
them fer the disastrous end. lie had shown no
lack OF courage in other respects and his life had
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