The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-18
THE MYSTERY UhSOtvED.
The Causes Which Led to the Sui
eide Of E. F. Crosby Still Re-
main Hidden.
What Was Revealed to the Coro-
ner's Jury, and tho
Verdict.
He Was the Third Member Of His Family
to Take His Life by His
Own Hands.

More than two-thirds Of Helena's popula-
ton was startled yesterday morning on
hearing of the sad fate of Edward F. Cros-
by the night before. The news had not
been generally circulated Friday night and
the social standing OF the family created
unusual interest in the affair. It was the
only topic Of conversation yesterday and
only expressions of the deepest sympathy
for the family could be heard. It was q
shock to the community in which Mr..
Crosby was much admired and respected.
The detailsof the occurrence as brought out
at the coroner's inquest fully substantiated
the sad story as given in yesterdays INDIE
PENDENT. Il is evident that the fatal shot
was fred in moment of exasperated grief,
and might never have occurred II the strong
impulses of the man had an opportunity for
calm consideration. That the self destruc-
ton was due to an hereditary trait of the
family, there now seems to be no doubt.
The testimony of close friends of the fami-
" was to the effect that the deceased was in
unusually bright spirits when he left them
at the lawn tennis court and later at their
home, and Mrs. Crosby said he bid her
good might in quiet and pleasant frame of
mind.
I'M. r. 8. Hill said he had been with the
deceased until he departed for home about
$50, and that when he left him Crosby
seemed unusually bright. and borrowed q
somewhat of q difference in the testimony
given by the servants and that of Mrs.
Crosby.
Mrs. B. Rogers, the nurse. testified that
about O'Clock she took the child down to
its father to bid him good night and after
Mr. Crosby came home, called for light,
which Mrs. Crosby furnished and they
both went to Mrs. Crosby's room. Mrs.
Rogers heard them talking at times in
loud tone of voice and the conversation
lasted about half an hour. Then Mr..
Crosby slammed the door and went to his
own room, just opposite that of his wife and
in about two moments more she heard
a shot. She was startled but did not leave
her room; she heard some one calling but
says that Mrs. Crosby made no alarm to the
girls. The first she knew of the suicide was
when two gentlemen came to the house.
She saw the pistol the day before in the
lower washstand drawer. She could not
say where Mrs. Crosby was at the time OF
Miss Bertha Einrosn, the housemaid, al
SO testified to hearing a conversation be-
tween Mr.. and Mrs. Crosby, but could not
tell what it was about and in short time
close rather hard. Mr.. Crosby spoke in
loud tones, but Mrs. Crosby could not be
heard. After the door closed. she heard a
drawer opened in Mr.. Crosby's room and
this was followed by the report OF pistol
shot. She and Mrs. Rogers were in a room
Miss Einrosn said she heard no exclamation
Immediately before or after the shot, did not
know that Crosby shot himself, but felt
pretty sure Of it. Mr.. and Mrs. Crosby oc-
cupied separate rooms since the housemaid
was there and she said she never noticed
the deceased gloomy or sad.
awaited in the hope that some light might
be thrown upon the cause which led to her
husbands self-destruction She said
the last time she saw her husband
alive was about $50, just before going to
bed he was in her room. "Mr. Crosby left
ssand after saying good night he shut both
doors. Shortly after, heard shot. /
went to his room and he was lying on the
floor. I cannot assign any cause for the
act. He has been morbid and depressed,
and such spells we're frequent. Other mem
beers of his family have committed suicide,
had once said he might commit suicide.
He was grooming when ran into his room.
I went to the telephone and called physi-
clan. The last words he said were, II am
dying" do not think he was conscious.
and he did not look at me; do not think
ne knew WHO i WAbs NC bIOAo VI nuAoAA0
not later than two weeks ago, but he as
signed no reason for his views on that sub
ject. He did not mention suicide last
night" -
Mrs. A. G. Botkin was next called. She
had q long acquaintance with Mr.. Crosby,
knew him before his marriage and is we'll
acquainted with his family history. She
said he had frequently been subject to
spells of depression, often over trivial
matters, and often heard him speak in such
a manner that she was not surprised to hear
that he had committed suicide. His
mother had suffered for years with melan-
cholia,' she said; This cousin and brother
committed suicide, and am positive that
it il hereditary trait. Whenever he was
depressed in business matters he threatened
suicide, and has always spoken of it in mo
ments of excitement, but had not lately
heard him talk of suicide"
The coroner's jury retired and after a
short elaboration returned the verdict
''that Edward f. Crosby came to his death
BY a pistol shot wound through the heart
inflicted by his own hand with suicidal in.
tent, between the hours Of 9 and 10 p. M,
May 16, $780,"
The funeral will take place at p. M.
to day from the Episcopal church.