San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-05-18
SUNDAY TRAGEDY.
LAWYER j. ID. MoRRIsoN's LAST
ACT.
Shoots His Wife, Then Himself
Both Die-A Terrible Affair.

Yesterday morning little after IL
O'Clock, a. churches and sanctuaries we're
crowded with worshippers and the word
of God was being expounded to thous-
ands, a home on Romano and Soledad
streets was desolated by the rash act of
an usually cool -headed, reputable citizen,
attorney and gentleman, Col. John D.
Morrison.
At that hour the reports of two pistol
shots were heard, and two ice delivery
men, who were in the act Of carrying in
the usual supply of ice, found
shot. Two bullet holes were seen, one in
the head of each. and the pistol, Al cal
ibre American "bull dog" that had done
the work, was lying close to the corpse of
Col. Morrison. A scalp wound on his.
head showed that in falling, he had hurt
his head, either on the bedStead or on the
pistol. Mrs. Morrison was shot in the
eye and was not yet dead. Medical aid
was summoned, but she had received a.
| mortal wound and died in the hour with
out regaining consciousness. There were
no witnesses to the shooting, bat the facts
point TO murder and suicide.
Cling, as his foot and leg, with the cover
ing about him, still were in the bed, his
head and body on the floor. His wife ex-
pired Just about IL 40 or AS. Mr.. Nor
rison, it was freely stated by Major Frye
and others, had often threatened to kill
his wife. She had no fears of that but
expected him to commit suicide and thus
hid an old pistol of his, but he procured
brand new weapon. 1t was also stated
yesterday morning that Mr.. Morrison had
been out all night and just came home in
the morning, having been out with a
friend. Upon his return he retired, after
which the tragedy occurred. Captain
Hennessy says his son spoke to Mr. Nor
rison about $3.50 a. m. yesterday, but
noticed nothing unusual.
Mr.. MOrrsOn'S daughter, aged about II
years and his aged father, were at church,
having left few minutes before the
shooting.
Col. Morrison had evidently arisen from
bed, as he was attired in his undercloth-
ing and the bed clothing was party wrap
p d about his feet as he lay on. the floor.
Mrs. Morrison was found face downward,
in the hallway. Two shots were fired.
The first chamber OF the pistol was empty.
The second was merely snapped and evil
IDENTIFY missed fire. The third was empty,
leaving two more bullets yet to be fired,
as the pistol was at first fully loaded. 1t
was new and had recently been pur-
chased.
When Mrs Morrison was found in the
hallway she had piece of paper and
pencil in her hand. She had evidently
ran from the room when she saw him with
the pistol.
Mr.. Peter Shields says he met Col. Nor
rison on San Pedro avenue, near Camden
street, at s o'clock yesterday morning and
he thought he had been out for walk.
He walked few blocks toward the city
with him, talking over law suit. Colonel
Morrison seemed quite rational and COM
posed, but remarked that he didn't see
how he could live much longer. He was
so terribly nervous" He said also that
he wanted to go TO Kerrville and try the
mountain air and see it would benefit him.
After the shooting, the alarm was
quickly given, and Officers Hennessy and
Knox were quickly on the scene, aiding to
keep the curonS crowd back, and in other
ways. After Mrs. MOrriSOn'S death, the I'M
dertaker prepared both bodies for burial,
and after the relatives had viewed their
faces. they were covered from sight with
pals. The funeral occurred today, at
II o'clock, from the Christian church on
Camden street, and large number of
friends followed the remains to the grave.
Col. Morrison was one of the brightest
of attorneys at the San Antonio bar,
when in his right moments. Unfortun-
dbely Ub was anu III
seems the habit was incurable. He had
striven for years to overcome 1t and some
few years ago it seemed he had done so.
He was an active prohibitionist in the
state campaign few years ago and was
one of the gifted orators of the campaign.
He was born al HIIlSburO, Jasper county,
Ca, and at the time of his death was
50 years of age. He married Miss
Victoria F.WOmack, in Alabama Twenty
years ago they settled in Roundrock, Tex
as, where he taught school. Benton City
and PleaSantOn were also their homes for
years. At Pleasanton Mr.. Morrison prac-
ticed law and was the district attorney Of
the 36th judicial district until he resigned
and came to San Antonio. Col. Morrison
was confederate veteran, being in the
war with the rank of colonel Several
children were the issue of their marriage,
two of whom survive, being Mrs. VIM.
O'Brien, wife of an express messenger of
the Pacific express company, the other
Miss Iula, aged about II years.
Justice Adam held an inquest on the
two bodies, and rendered verdict that
Col. Morrison died by his own hand; that
his wife died from pistol shot, the pistol
being in Col. MorrisOn'S hands.
Both district courts adjourned, out OF
respect to his memory, and the Bar as
ISOLATION attended the funeral