The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-29
JOHN B. MORSE DEAD.
His Second Attempt at Suicide Was
Successful.
A SHOT IN The HEAD DID IT.
Ne Entered an out House at His Home
This Morning. and Ended His Lifo
With Bull Dog Revo,vcr-The story
%. His Troubles.

.rebn B. Morse, who attempted TO
commit suicide by cutting his throat with
a razor, recently, mSde second attempt
on his life this morning and was this time
successful. Morse was letter and mono
gram epgraver and did business at 235
Westminster street. He was probably
about co years OF age, and was well
known and extremely popular man about
the city. his business was in good con-
dition and his handwork was in great de-
mand Since his previous attempt on ms
life. Morse has seemed slightly moody and
disconsolate, but his deed of this morning
was entirely unexpected.
Shortly after S o'clock this morning
Morse arose and dressed. After partaking
of hearty breakfast, during which he
appeared nervous and i'll at ease. he
passed out into the yard IN tne rear OF ms
house, IS Fountain street, and was not
again seen alive. His daughter, Josie, be-
coming alarmed at the prolonged absence
of her father, went in search OF him and
found him in an outbuilding dead. A
heavy revolver of the American Bull
Dog pattern lay on the floor beside the
body and an ugly hole in the right temple
showed how the deed was done. The
police were at once notified and Omcer
George Boss took charge of the promises.
Medical Examiner Kecfe was summoned
aud viewed the body, giving permission 10
have IL removed.
The bullet entered the brain through
the right temple and death was undoubt-
edly instantaneous. The position of the
body when found and the general indica-
tion of the surroundings showed the deed
TO have been premedtated. The shot was
fired when standing and Immediately
afterwards the man sank down on seat
ID. Draw wtr.0sn 80
firing the shot, Morse read over letter
referring To his business, and then wrote
the following message on the envelope
with q pencil, "Have Kittredge attend to
this. Sadie and Josie goodbye" The
body was taken in charge by George
whitney, brotber-in-law of the suicide.
and the remains were given to an under
taker for burial. The family are prostra-
ted with grief and refuse TO make any
statements To the press.
On the morning of Jan. IL, Morse at
tempted suicide by cutting his throat
with razor. The attempt was made in
his workshop, but the prompt action OF
the authorities prevented him from ac-
complishing his design. ABOUT three
weeks ago he made his first appearance
on the streets and was welcomed back by
his many friends. The failure of his pre-
vious attempt, however, seemed TO weigh
heavily on his mind and it is thought that
ne DtCtult ellSntly Soh-
tinual broodiDg over the affair.
As has been before stated Morse's former
attempt on his life was probably induced
BIZ an impending suit for criminal libel
brought at the instance of James G.. White
house, ex-premier of the Royal Society
of Good Fellows, aud was induced by
circular sent out by Morse, in which he
attacked the officers of the Supreme
Assembly. The reason assigned by Morse
for the sending out of this circular was as
follows: Oliver p Lyons, a brother-in-
law of the suicide, belonged at one time
to the order, and was member of Nara
gansett Assembly, No Al, of Olneyvillc.
By some manner or other he failed to keep
up la his dues and was suspended on this
account. Shortly after his suspension
Lyons was taken sick and Morse went to
the financial secretary and volunteered TO
pay the back dues. Lyons finally died,
but when the widow, Ellen Lyons, at
tempted to collect the death benefit,
refused her. A suit was brought
against the order by Mrs. Lyons in the
Superior and Supreme Courts in Suffolk
county, Massachusetts,, To recover the
money, but in both cases she was defeat
ed. Morse subsequently issued the circu-
lar in which he accused Whitehouse, pre-
mier oud organizer of the local branch Of
the order, in collusion with inefficient Off
GERS, of depriving the widow of the death
be eft due her from the society.
The indictment was brought on a charge
of criminal libel.
immediately after regaining his health
Morse caused a retraction of his state
ments TO be made, the understanding be-
ing that the indictment should be
quashed. Continual brooding over the
matter, and the publicity attending his
unsucces sful attempt were TO man of
his nervous organization, sufficient TO
cause slight arrangement under which
he was probably suffering this morning.
E The nOU despOndtn1 Dcnocrdcn -