The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-09-17
THE SUICIDE MANIA
Edward c. Booth Blows Hi
Brains Out.
Failing to Borrow Money at the Close of a
Spree He Courted
Death.

Edward c.. Booth, who for some twr
years past has been in the employ of Gran,
Bros. as driver, ended his existence a.
an early hour yesterday morning by send.
ing bullet-through his brain.
Booth was about % years of age, and wa:
born at Carthage, Ill, but came to this city
with his parents many years ago. About
four months ago he married a young lady
of this city, and after that he led model
life. On Tuesday night he left the stable
with George Anderson and young man
named Olson, and it appears that they
made tour of the saloons, bringing
up at Franklin avenue At one of
the places on that thoroughfare, Booth had
some difficulty with a man named Wagner,
but 1t did not come to blows, and at 4
o'clock he started for the stable. On ar,
irving there he asked the harness maker to
lend him some money, and being refused.
Booth stepped back, drew his pistol, and
saying Here goes, them" fred. The bull
let entered the right temple and came out on
the left side Of the head, inflicting a wound
from which the died in about an hour and
hall. He never regained consciousness
after the shot was fired, and the reason
that lmpelled him TO commit the rash act is
shrowded in mystery. His wife states
that he had been breeding over something
for several days, but cannot imagine what
his trouble was. She says he was kind
and loving husband, and is overwhelmed
with grief at the sad calamity which has
overlakeD her.
Coroner Harris held an inquest upon the
remains at Joseph W. Taylor's undertak
ing establishment yesterday afternoon. 7
e. Hanson, 5. Masterson and E. g. Wins
being sworn as jurors.
G. o. Chamberlain testified: The de.
ceased came into the barn at about 4
o'clock this morning and came back to the
wash rack where l was at work He said
he had been making fool Of himself and
was in trouble, and wanted me to lend him
some money. / refused to do so because
he was under the influence of LIQUOR.
Without another word to me he put the
pistol to his head, fired, and fell to the
floor.
Nicholas Butler testified At twenty
minutes past this morning Ed Booth
came into Grant Bros barn, where he was
employed. ] met him down at the end of
the barn and spoke to him. AS passed by
BIN something in his manner attracted nv
attention and looked back at him. Just
then he fired and fell behind buggy.
Officer Armstrong testified: | was PISS
ing Ia front of Grant Bros. barn shortly
after O'Clock this morning and heard the
shot | went into the barn and saw the
deceased lying on the floor. The pistol
was lying at his feet.
Officer Birkner testified: | was notified
of this affair by telephone and went up TO
the stable and stayed with the deceased I'M
til ne died at 5:45 this morning He was
shot in the right temple and the bullet
came out on the right side of the head.
George Anderson testified: l was with
Ed Booth from II o'clock last evening until
shortly after 4 this morning, when / left
him at jennings corner On leaving the
stable we went to the ALEXANDRIA. From
there we went to saloon on
Commercial street. Then we went to
Franklin avenue and visited some three
places. We drank at each place, but can
not say how many times. Booth was
drinking beer. In one place on Franklin
avenue known as the Big V. he had some
words with man named Wagner and on
coming out he gave his revolver TO a police
man, saying he was afraid he would get
into trouble. The officer advised US to go
home, and gave Booth his p stol back and
we started for home. We parted on the
clock corner, Mr.. Booth going toward the
stable with friend named Olson, who had
been with US. The deceased was a little
"boozey," but was not drunk When he
started out he had S37 lido not know how
much be spent, but don't think it was over
So.
Nicholas Butler was recalled and testi
fed have heard the defendant make re-
marks at various times which indicates
that he contemplated suicide One night a
short time before he was married, he came
to NE in the stable, aud taking out this
same pistol, he said, mick, l have a good
mind to kill myself"
This closed the testimony and the Jury
returned verdict setting forth that the
deceased came 10 his death from the effects
Of 9 pistol shot wound inflicted by his own
hand, with suicidal intent, while under the
influence of liquor.