Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-07-27
A CHASTITY DISCOVERY.
Body Of J. W. S. Marshall
Found Hanging.
WAS A NOTED CHARACTER.
A Wealthy Bachelor and Lived the Life
of a Recluse.

BosToN, July 27.-One of the strangest
cases of suicide that have occurred In this
vicinity for years was brought to light
last night about 6:45 o'clock.
John w. 8. Marshall, 90 years old, and
who for the past three or four years has
made his home at l5 Allston street, was
found hanging by the neck with a rope
which he had thrown over the door that
led from one room to the other which he
occupied. 1t is supposed that he had been
ln that condition since last Friday.
Mr.. Marshall was bachelor, and man
who had very little to say to anyone. His
sccentric disposition was manifested by
the fact that 1t was his custom to do his
own chamber work, except the sweeping,
and rs he did not take his meals at the
son, said that the fact that he had not
been seen since Friday last did not In the
least attract her attention.
Yesterday, Mrs. Patterson said that
there had arisen from some unknown
source sickening odor, which filled the
house from top to bottom. 1t was at first
thought that IL was due to dead rats In the
walls 1t was not until about $50 that
anything was done to discover the cause
of the odor. A lodger, who came home at
that time, suggested that a search be
made, and this was accordingly done.
A Ghastly Discovery
AS the searching party neared the door
of Mr.. MarshalPs apartments, which were
upon the second floor, they noticed that
the order was much stronger, and they
thereupon raped loudly, but failed to re-
ceive any reponse The lodger, upon look
ing through tho keyhole discovered that
the key was IN the lock, and Immediately
guessed that all was not as IL should be.
The lodger then went out in search of
an officer, who went with his informant
to the ise. The door was opened, and
there, hanging limp and ghastly, was the
dead body of the aged lodger. The body
was considerably decomposed.
IL was two hours after the discovery be-
fore the body was taken from the house to
the North Grove street moreue, where it
now is
A person who says he saw Mr.. Marshall
on Friday last said that the old gentleman
had large coil of rope In his hand when
he eutered the house.
The inmates Of the boarding house know
very little a out Mr.. Marshall, other than
that he was very pleasant and
Inoffensive Old Gentleman,
who had very few people come and call on
him. He had not been engaged In any
business for many years, and had evidently
lived upon the income of his property. the
extent of which Is unknown.
Mrs. Patterson is Of the opinion that
he has a sister living In Cambridge, and
thinks that she has heard him speak of a
brother, but does not know where he
lives.
A lady rooming in the house held q
brief conversation with Mr. Marshall on
Thursday evening, and said that he ap-
peared TO be in good health and spirits.
No Known Cause For the Act.
No search has been made as yet of the
contents of the rooms, but today the police
intend to do so,and they are In hopes of dis
covering some clue which will lead them
to discover the cause Of the strange sui
eide.
Rev. James Reid, Swedenborgian min
lister, who is out Of town and who was an
intimate friend of the dead man, has been
notified, and he will. In all probability,
officiate at the funeral.