The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-15
REV. V. ELEPHANTS DEATH
the CLERGYMAN sHooTs HIMSELF nv
ms FITHER'S HOUSE

A Son OF Robert ". Oiypbaut-Found Dsas
in Ills Room with y RIHe Reside Hir-
and IL Bullet Through His Head-Hs nas
Beeu Out OF Wealth Long Time-A.
Assistant Ia DR.. ThompSo.'s Church.
Tho Rev. Vernon Murray ELEPHANT was
found dead at q o'clock last evening in his
room in the house OF his father, Robert NJ.
Olyphant. 100 Madison avenue. There was =
bullet hole in his right temple and q Winches-
ter rifle was at his side. lie had been out Of
health moro or less for ten years. DR.. Robers
Watts tho family physician. said that II was
not known whether MIR. Olyphant had killed
himself 10y accident or rurpoeely He be-
lieved, however that 1t was an accident.
Mr. Olythant was SO years old and unmar-
ried. Ills father. Robert NJ. Olyphant is Presi-
dent ofthe Delaware and Hudson Canal Com
rany. Tho son was graduated from Princeton
College in 1850. lie then entered the Prince
ton Theological Seminary, and after gradua-
ton was ordained u minister Of tho Presby-
terrain Church.
III health. however. prevented him from
taking pastoral charge. Occasionally he did
missionary work among the sailors. preaching
at times in tho Floating Chapel and other
places. but with these exceptions he had de-
voted most OF his time. until recently. to writ
ing and studying.
He often wrote for the religious magazines,
and at the time OF his death he was preparing
book Of sermons which he intended to pub
lish. Several months ago ho began to assist
the Rev. DIR. Charles l. Thompson Of the Madi-
son Avenue PRESBYTERIAN Church, at 500 Madi-
son avenue. He preached in this church q few
times, nut MS III health prevented him from
doing regular work. A violent attack OF pneu-
monia about eight years ago left his lungs
weak and susceptible to cold and infamma-
ton. Several years after that he had a severe
attack OF nervous prostitution, tho effects OF
For several days past he had been feeling
better than usual. and was quito buoyant with
the hoGe that he was recovering his health.
Yesterday he came down to lunch at ! o'clock.
rs usual. chatted PLEASANTLY with his sister.
Miss Grace v Olyphan,, and then. saying he
room was on tho thFd door, Gn0 His ~, Sisters Ss
At $3.50 o'clock, as nearly as she can remem-
Der Miss Olyphant heard a noise ms OF a heavy
father that upon hearing this noise she said to
herself: Vernon has dropped one OF his big
At Il o'clock the father wondering why he
did not come down to dinner. went to his sons
hoe IN bs r%ht MN y ra 3n s Sa Th
flowing Tho face was already rigid In death.
Tsb of he Hr ,oa that stO9d at The
the barrel pointed toward the young mans
Dr., Watts who was Immediately summoned.
Mr.. Olyphant had probably been dead two
position OF the body and the gun it is abso utley
impossible to say whether the rifle went OF
accidentally or whether he meant to kill
himself The room was in Its usual
order and contained nothing that could sx-
Olyphant had received at noon lay neatly piled
on table in tho centre OF the room. There
was nothing in them, as far as know that
threw any light upon hia death.
MIR. ,olynh"nt has suffered more or less for
several years, but he never said anything that
led us TO think no ever would kill himself. He
was subject to fits OF depression, during which
he olten complained bitterly OF his inability to
to the Adrondacks for his health. taking his
Winchester along in case he decided to remain
until the hunting season opened. His brother
told me to-day that Vernon said to him not
long ago: sometimes take out my gun and
clean it and look it over lie may have been
doing that when it az ploded."
Mr.. Robert ELEPHANT, a brother. notified the
police. and when Coroner McKenna arrived
DR., Watts told him all that was known Of the
Coroner McKenna said last night: The
young man placed the butt of the rifle against
one OF the arms OF a chair beside the lounge
on which he lay. and, reclining on the sofa.
bullet passed through his head, struck book
case, was detected considerably struck pile
o. pamphlets in another, part OF the room. and
then fell to the floor When his father entered
distinguish objects clearly. He thought HIS
son was asleep on the sofa lie went toward
him and touched him on the forehead. and
then saw that he was dead. DR.. Weston Will
lhe kev. Vernon NJ; ELEPHANT was membsK
wealth clubs and OF the Association OF Sons
of the Revolution. His two brothers, Robert
and John kensett olyphant are members OF
the firm Of Ward Oyphant. coal and iroa-
merchants.