The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-12
CHOSE DEATH TO SHAME.
A YOUNG WOMAN TAKES SO
GRAINS OF MORPHINE


eeventeen-Yesr-OldS Susie Murphy o
Bryan County, Dependent over Fail
ure to Secure Employment and Alone
Among Strangers, Tries to End Hel
Life-Her Farewell Note to her Sis
ter-A Young LIES Sad Ending.
Susie Murphy. young lady Of Bryan
county. II years old, attempted suicide by
taking thirty-six grains OF morphine al
Harris boarding house on Congress street
near West Broad street, yesterday after
soon.
At O'Clock this morning she was barely
alive. The physicians who were attending
her said that she cannot live.
The case is very sad one. Despondeni
over being unable 20 obtain work, add with
no hope before her. the young woman de-
eided TO take her life. She arrived In the
city Thursday morning and went to Harris
house She said something about wanting
to work there, but was tod they had all the
help needed. She was given q room on the
top floor and said no more about wanting
work. She was very pleasant and friendly
with the people around the house and nc
one supposed she had any thought Of taking
her own life.
WENT TO HER ROOM.
About 10 o'clock yesterday abe borrowed
pencil from a boarder and went upstairs
to her room. She was not seen again until
late in the afternoon and il was
supposed that she had gone out for a walk.
Come children passing through the
room about 5 O'Clock saw her lying on the
bed but supposed she was asleep. Mrs.
Harris attention was called to her shortly
after 6 O'Clock, and she attempted TO arouse
her but was unable to do so and told her
husband that she believed Miss Murphy was
dying.
A note was found in her bosom saying
the had decided to take her life. Mr.. Hart
sent Immediately for physicians. Drs.
Redding and Boyd responded, and en-
deavored to restore her to consciousness.
A 60-grain bottle Of morphine was found
on the bureau In the room. The bottle was
more than half empty. The remaining
contents were weighed and found to
be twenty-four grains, from which it was
judged the woman had taken thirty-six
grains. If she had taken only ten she would
have been dead before she was discovered
but the amount taken came near frustrating
her intention. Drs. Boyd and Redding
worked increasingly for hours, using every
means known to restore consciousness, but
without avail. An electric battery was ap-
piled, but it had little effect. The inmates
OF the house rendered every assistance in
their power.
DEATH RATHER THAN SHAME.
The young woman's reasons for the at
tempt upon her life were shown by
two notes, which were found in
her bosom. The first read:
ALIcE-I know have done great sin by
taking my own life, but never told you eli
"a and ma said il was ell they could do TO live.
ana was on the mercy Of the cold world /
mace one last effort to make my living aud
failed hopelessly Now you must for nv sake
always cleave 70 ma, for fear she may come to
some s;i pad end Life is very sweet and hate TO
die but -. Truly.
alice" is the young woman's half sister.
MRS DR.. II. X. Mooney of Ellabell. The note
was written on torn piece of note paper
and was In plain, fine hand. Mrs. Mooney
was known to be In the city
last night, but could not bs
found, though search was made for
her among her friends. No pane was
signed to the note, and the only address was
"Alice."
The second note was addressed 10 Dr
Mooney, and requested that be take charge
OF her body if anything should happen to
ner, and expressed confidence that he would
do what was right.
Miss Murphy has number of relatives In
Bulloch and Bryan counties, including some
OF the best people OF those counties. Her
father and mother are dead and she had no
means OF support. Her step-mother had
married second time, and it seems from
the note that she and her husband we're
barely able to live"
FATAL DEPENDENCY.
The young woman had a good education
1t is said, and had taught school for awhile
She had been trying 10 Obtain employment
without success and despaired Of any helm
her only prospect was life OF shame. and
she preferred death.
Miss Murphy was beautiful Young girl
she was OF medium hight, well-formed.
with dark, wavy hair, and blue ewes and
oval features. 1t was pitiful scene in the
boarding house last night; the young girl
stretched upon the bed with her features
contorted as the electric battery was an
pied to her face. her breath coming in Rasps
and her body shaken and pushed by rough,
but kindly hands.
Dr. Mooney was telegrsphed, but could
not De reached, the office at Ellabell being
closed. The young woman had some dis
tant relatives in Savannah, but they did
not know OF her presence here.