Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-24
DEADLY DOSE.
SUICIDE OF AN OLD SACRAMEN.
TAN YESTERDAY.
John j. Gray Visits the City Gene
terry and Swallows a Dose
Of Poison.

John j. Gray, a well-known former citi-
zen OF this city, committed suicide in the
City Cemetery yesterday. He had resided
mere for some eighteen years, but a year
ago removed to San Francisco. On We'd
nesday evening he and his wife came to the
city, and Yesterday visited the Cemetery,
where Mrs. Gray has a brother buried, and
while there Gray took the fatal dose. De-
ceased was a painter, and formerly did a
good business here, employing many men.
Some years ago, however, his business de-
clined, and it is said he lost considerable
money. He bad met with several severe
falls while pursuing his occupation, and
his family say that of late years his mind
has been more or less affected, to the ex-
tent, indeed, that he had several times
limited at taking his life. Deceased was q
member in good standing of Sacramento
Lodge, A o. U. W. He leaves a widow. a
son and two daughters. One of the latter.
Miss Kittie GRAY, resides in this city, and
the other, Mrs. Belmont, in San Francisco.
where the son also resides.
Coroner Clark held an inquest on the re-
mains last night, at which the following
facts regarding the suicide were elected
Michael Phelan testified that be was yes
terday employed at the City Cemetery.
Between 8 and 10 o'clock, while working
in a low place, witness and a Mr.. BOYLE
heard groans coming from a lot above
them. They went up and found the de-
ceased lying on the lot, his wife sitting
close by, and two ladies and a child were
in a buggy near by them. On trying to
assist Gray, the latter told them to go
away, that he would be all right in a few
minutes. Mrs. Gray also told them not to
mind him-that it was only a spasm, and
that he was accustomed to them. Witness
n his comrade then returned to their
work. Every ten or fifteen minutes thev
heard Gray g%roaning. A little later Super
lntendent Parker came along and called
the men to assist in taking Gray to the
chapel. While on the way there Mrs. GRAY
remarked: "Oh, John. my dear husband,
tell The men what you took" GRAY made
no reply, but soon said How far is this
journey going to be? That bush is on fire !
Don't take me in there" He was laid in
the chapel. Gray was not ON his own lot
when found.
William J. Hardy, another cemetery en-
ploye, testified that he found a small bottle
near the Ninth-street entrance labeled
"Strychnine." 1t was about thirty or forty
yards from where he was lying. Another
vial was found by witness Phelan. The
City Physician picked up an envelope
which he said also had contained strych-
nine. Mrs. Gray remarked to the doctor
that she had seen her husband tearing up
the envelope.
Robert Parker, Superintendent of the
City Cemetery, corroborated the testimony
OF the other witnesses. He said that after
the death of her husband Mrs. GRAY be-
came greatly agitated and gave evidence of
deep grief.
MRS. GRAY's STORY
Mrs. Gray, the widow of deceased. was
then sworn. h testified that her hus-
band was a native of England, and that he
was "a years of age. For the past thirteen
months they had resided in San Francisco.
She and her husband came up from there
on Wednesday night. They went to the
cemetery early yesterday forenoon, at the
suggestion of her husband. She has a
brother buried there, and whenever she
visits the city she goes to the cemetery.
Her brother is buried just within the
Ninth-street entrance. They walked about
for a while, and soon saw her husband in a
STOPPING position at a hydrant near by.
She went 10 where he was, and as she came
near she saw him throw away two bottles.
She asked him what he had done, and he
replied "Oh, that is all right" She then
said: oh, John, have you done any,
thing and he said no.. She thought
he seemed faint, and had him go and sit
down. Some ladies drove along, and
wanted to know if they could do anything
for him, and he replied: mo, go away!
Don't let them look at mel'' Mrs. Gray
got him some stimulant, and he took a sip.
He then went into a spasm, and after
awhile some men came and took him down
to the chapel. Witness said there were
times when she thought her husbands
mind was not all right. Her son had re-
Gently written to her daughter in Sacra-
mento to the same effect.
Mrs. Gray said she did not know that he
had poison with him, but he had threat
ened to do something of the kind before,
and when she saw him throw away the
bottles her worst fears were aroused. He
did not admit having taken poison. He
had of late been subject to fainting spells.
Witness said she took him by the hand
and said she was going for a doctor. and be
said: "0h, Kate, don't leave mern Wit
ness understood that the lady in the buggy
had gone for a doctor.
Replying to a juror, Mrs. Gray said that
her husband had once before made an at.
tempt upon his life, but a physician saved
him.
THE VERDICT.
The jury, after a brief deliberation, re.
turned a verdict to the effect that the de.
ceased had come TO bis death from the
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