Evening journal., 1892-10-04
ANOTHER SUICIDE CLUB
A Young and Wealthy Man
Ends His Life by It's Edict.
he WAS OFFERED TEN YEARS GRACE


But the Respite Was Refused, and a
Bullet Did the Work When His Day Of
Doom Came-A Letter TO the Coroner
Explaining the Cause of Death.
NEW YORK, Oct. 4-Upon the very
threshold of his early manhood, the possess
sor Of a large fortune, with hosts of friends,
J. Barlow Moorehead, twenty-one years
old, sent bullet into his heart in his room
at sc West Thirty-ffth street, where he
boarded and where he was found lying dead
upon his bed A revolver lay by his side,
and on his breast, as II he had cast one last,
fond look at it before he fired the fatal
shot, lay the picture OF the young mans
mother, who died some years ago.
The suicide was deliberately planned and
carried out There appears TO have been
no actual motive beyond some weird and
fanciful sense of obligation which he inn
agned himself under to an organization Of
which he appears TO have been a member
to kill himself within prescribed time.
This organization-if il really exists-is
veritable suicide club There may have
been one other motive-the fear of being
nAtAoAIiNA H1 AAA1 AAtilll Vi AAANAAlNAthA'Ns
Young Moorehend comes of excellent
family. His father, Charles II. Moorehead,
Is a wealthy resident Of Bridgeton n. J.
He was a nephew, too, Of Mr. G. G. Thorn
as, OF the banking firm Of Drexel, Morgan
& Co., of Philadelphia.
From his grandfather, retired western
mine owner, who died several years ago,
the young man is said TO have inherited
fortune estimated at 81 100000. Hereceiyed
liberal education and has travelled extern
sively, both in this country and abroad.
lie was graduated physician, but some
how, no doubt owing TO his extensive bank
account, he drifted into theatricals-that
is. into the management of theatrical en-
terprises.
A Suicide Club.
In London for two years he had managed
several theatrical shows with more or less
success He returned TO this country last
year He appears TO have been a young
man OF incorporate habits, for the early
part of the present year found him an in
mate OF the Kelley institute at philadel-
phia After a two months course OF
treatment he was discharged cured. Moore
head had commenced TO drink little
again, and last week he said 10 friend,
"If this cursed habit of rum ever gets the
better of me again I'll blow my brains out"
Several letters were on the table in the
suicides room. These were severally adj
dressed TO the coroner of New York city;
G.. c. Thomas, care Of Drexel, Morgan &
CO.. Philadelphia; Charles H. Moorehead,
Bridgeton, n. j., and Cabby No. sii, city.
The latter was probably addressed to tho
cabman who drove him on his last ride.
The letter to the coroner, which was dated
Oct g. 1.45 a. M read as follows:
have committed suicide rs per club Please
give verdict TO such effect and oblige yours
truly, J. b. Moon
NJ B.-My proper namo is J. b. Moorehead,
Jr., OF Philadelphia. e. G. Thomas, of Drexel
& Co, is my uncle. Please notify him.
The coroner began probing into the mat
ter and learned that Nestor Lennon, an
actor could probably explain the curious
epistle he had received. Lennon was sum-
mOned and told the coroner that there was
a suicide club in this city. Moorehead, he
said, was member and he also belonged
70 it He said that was the reason Moore
head shot himself, and added that the dead
man was compelled TO do il.
Onered Ten Years of Life.
In speaking of the workings Of the club
Lennon said: Each member on joining Is
compelled 70 fix the date at which they are
to take their own life Moorehead's hour
had arrived. BY a special rule Of the club
he was offered a ten year parole, but he re-
fused TO accept it, being determined to keep
his agreement
Mr.. Lennon refused 20 tell more Of the
suicide club or the circumstances under
which Mr. Moorehead had joined The
coroner win thoroughly investigate the
case
Moorehead was OF a hopeful disposition,
and his friends here know Of no reason for
his self destruction. They are inclined to
believe in his membership in a suicide club.