Evening journal., 1894-03-29
HORNER' STRAGIC DEATH
Shoots Himself Twice While
in Bed.
his NGIaHBORs sCOREED HIM

Rs the Cause for Committing the Deed.
A Hole In the Back Of His Head aud
Pool of Blood Tell the Story.
John Joseph Horner. aged 81 years.
barber at the northeast corner Of Eighth
and Pine streets, shot himself in the
head this morning and died from the
effects.
Horner was born a. Newark. n. J.
he came to this city about twenty-five
years ago and established a barber shop
at the southeast corner Of Eighth and
Pine streets Later be moved to the
opposite corner About five months
ago he sold the latter shop
to John Moore. This sale seemed
to prey on his mind, and he regained the
shop In the meantime he applied for
a liquor license, and on Saturday last
his application was refused.
Yesterday afternoon Horner told his
wife that he would do something desper-
ate and read a letter to her which he
declared was his last writing. He re
quested her to have the letter published
after his death.
Mrs Horner protested with him, but
he insisted that he must die sometime
and this WAS just as good as any other
He said he could not stand the scOrn Of
the people Of his own ward, the Eighth
because he had applied for a liquor
license.
After telling his wife this, he went to
work as usual in his shop. Mrs Hcrner
was afraid of him becauselof some threats
he had made. AM went to the home Of
her brother-in law, Joseph Homer, a.
Eighth and Bennett streets. with her
children and remained all night
In company with the deceased's little
SOD Kenneth, Joseph Horner went to his
brothers house. No. 800 Pine street.
He found the shop and the house closed.
Horner put Kenneth In & window
and told him to 60 upstairs and
see If his father was asleep
The little 4-year-old ran to his fathers
room, returning said be was asleep. The
little boy opened the door leading TO the
street aud Joseph went in AS soon a.
be got inside he smelled powder and ran
up to his brothers room. He found him
lying in a pool of blood IN his bed
Joseph ran TO the police station imme.
distely and informed Captain Kane and
Detectives McVey and Witsu, who went
at once TO the house. The body was
found just as Joseph Horner bad left II.
A brand new revolver was ciutcbe
Ia. the deceased's right hand aud the
body was warm Evidently be had not
been dead more than an hour bullet
hole in the back Of Horner's head TOLD
the story
Deputy Coroner Palmer immediatel,
summoned jurors and viewed the body
II is not known when an inquest will L,
held. The house was left in charge o.
Captain Kane and Officer Doaahoe
aud Detectivess Witssi and McYey pre-
ceeied to find out where the tis,o
was purchased. They went to III,
store OF William H Hartlove, at Third
and French streets. and as soen as Il
was shown the latter he identified it 81
one which Hornsr purchased about
o'clock last night II was Of a cheal
grade and 32-3alibre.
norner said to HartlOve before he mad
the purchase that he wanted it for pro
lection, as there had been many robberie
recently and be was afraid the robbers
would visit him. He did not seem 70 b.
worried or display any unusual emotion.
} Shortly after the time the revolver wa
purchased, Horner went TO the restaur
} ant OF his brother James, at No %
West Eighth street and talked Of b.
troubles When he was leaving be sait
{ goodbye This remark worried Jane
as he had never made such before. Jane
5 said this morning. that his brother wa
] not a drinker Il was supposed by mem
, bers Of the family that he mad been drink
] iog laudanum recently
{ HOrner leaves a wife and TWO children
Kenneth. aged years and months
B and Avery, aged IL months he hal
been married thirteen years. he owne
r Eve houses on Vandever avenue, four o.
e Claymont. two on Spruce street and tn
b. house in which he lived
j The deceased was not a church mem
J Der, but owned lot in Rivervew Gene
tery, where intermeut will be made
3 Following is the letter which he CAV
D his wife:
Z S atemeBt to the Public.
T. 81 wish to state how lost my bus
ness IL don't look reasonable but II
as true as the gospel / offered my bus
L ness TO John Moore for 5000 and r,
gretted it as soon as / offered II an
= when he came around on Monday moIr
!, ing 70 take it tried to back out. coul
- not rouse mp enough courage {
= toll him SO that Is the re,
- son that l would not take an
= | money on account. 1 Nhuitu 10 uhC
= out and when came home from court o
Saturday morning, ! wanted to 60
work and save my shop But coul
Z. not raise courage enough TO cay so"
continues and tells more about the shop
- Il could not stand seeing my she
moved. Moore accused me
D stealing two razors and a hone that
gave away TO Nh Barrett.
Before the bargain was made.
P does not look reasonable TO anyone th'
N a man would not save a shop that re-
ST resented $50, coo when be could just
er saying one word or two people thin
m that expected a license is the reaso
that offered it. But IL Is not, so l WI
ut so worried over my building and 9th,
Of business that was not myself woul
lis not take 81, 500 for the shop
b. II was refused license on Saturds
morning, aud l could have gone to woi
10 then aud saved my business and n
lg fortune. But, l don't expect niue
v, sympathy from the public, but l hol
they will help my little ones and VIII