The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-25
His LIFE A FAILURE
William A. Sherrell Thought So,
and Ended it.
HE WAS ADDICTED TO MORPHINE
For Several Days Past be Deliberately Ex-
amined Hearses, Collins and Other
Funeral Trappings.

After scoring failure in the battle Of
life, William A. Sherrell appealed to his
six shooter for relief last evening and
brought his career to sudden close
Sherrell was born in Illinois IS years ago,
but came West with his parents, who now
reside at Fort Collins He was once con-
ductor on the Union Pacific TOR a time, but
was by trade carpenter, and two years
ago he came to this city. He was a first
class workman and for time did well.
Then ne got to drinking heavily. neglected
business and commenced to 90 down grad
ually. Just when he took to using morphine
is not known, but he had been slave to
the habit for some time before his death.
He was brother of Mr.. Sherrell, the we'll
known contractor Of the city, and the lat
Ter helped him along continually until a
Few months ago. The deceased took
great interest in the Callahan murder case,
which created such sensation last June,
and 1t was this interest which led him to
become detective. He commenced work
Ing for Franks detective agency, and it is
SAID he obtained number of important
clues in the murder case referred 10. He
continued his dissipation, however, and of
late had acted somewhat strangely. There
Is little doubt but that he contemplated
suicide for several days before
he carried out his plans. On
Saturday evening he called at the
police station and asked TO see Marshal
Young, who CHANGED to be out. Sherrell
then asked Captain Parker to lend hin his
revolver, but the officer declined to do so,
and Sherrell went OFF. On Sunday even
ing ne went to Evans undertaking rooms,
and spent some time there in examining,
with moroid curiosity, the Ourial mer
chandise. Yesterday afternoon he went to
McCoy's livery stable and engaged horse
and buggy, and after driving all over the
city, finally stopped az the corner of Fifth
South and Eighth East. There were
number of pedestrians on the street who
saw Sherrell get out of the buggy and
coolly tie the horse to a telephone pole.
Then he walked back towards the
buggy, and placing the muzzle of an
old-tashioned 4a-calibre six shooter to
his breast, delibe1 ately fred. The
ball tore an ugly hole in his breast and
passed directly through the heart With
out word or moan Sherrell fell 10 the
ground, a dead man. DR.. e. b Ferguson,
who CHANGED to De passing, went to the
mans assistance, but he was beyond all
human aid. A big crowd al once gathered
and men and boys jostled against each
other N their efforts TO get a glimpse of the
frightful spectacle. Undertaken Evans
anu coroner harrlS were soon nOIlUeu OF
the affair, and the DodyNwas removed to
Evans undertaking establishment. The
brother of the deceased was sent for and
he was deeply affected upon hearing Of mis-
| brothers. sad fate. To a HERALD reporter
he stated that he was not greatly sur
prised at what had occurred. For some
months past his brother had been desper ate
apparently caring for nothing. Then ne
was almost constantly under the influence
of morphine, and all efforts TO redeem hin
failed. Mr.. Sheriff. said he wanted the re-
mains embalmed and shipped to his parents
at Fort Collins, and this will be done after
the inquest today.
Upon the person of the deceased was
found letter to his mother, in which he
spoke of his financial troubles, but said
nothing 10 indicate that he contemplated
suicide. In another pocket was found j
| box of morphine powder, partially empty,
and the deceased was doubtless under the
influence Of the drug and whisky at the
! time he took his life