The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-05
NOTHING TO live FOR
So 3, ]. Stafford, Of Greenwich, N. Y, Thought
and Therefore Committed Suicide.
NO FEARS FOR The FUTURE
When Standing on the Brink of the
Great Unknown He Penned Letters
Stating That the Future Had No
Terrors for Him-Blamed Whisky
and Gambling for His Downfall, and
Gave Some Sage Advice to Young
Mar

One more unfortunate. whose life be.
came burden to him. shuffisd off the
mortal coil yesterday. On Aug s a
we'll dressed man giving his name as
Z. j. Stafford, whose folks live at
Greenwich, N. Y, hired room from a
family named Jones at 140 Franklin
avenue. He was about As years of age,
nearly six feet tall and weighed 200
pounds. The family with whom he
roomsd saw but little Of him; he slept
late in the morning and was not in the
habit Of retiring until late hour at
night He appeared to be we'll supplied
with money.
Yesterday when Mrs. Jones went to
his room to arrange it. expecting to
find him gone out as usual, she found
his door locked and went there several
times during the day with the same re-
suit.
About 4.30 In the afternoon her hus-
band returned from work and she ex'
planned that there was something queer
about the fact that the door of Safford's
room was locked. He investigated and
opened the door with key and found
Stafford dead in bed.
REASON FOR THE SUICIDE.
The Jonee' heard him enter the
house about midnight and 90 to his
room. Before retiring he locked the
door and left the key on the dressing
case. Letters and SO in money were
found on the stand. This letter was
scribbled with a lead pencil on the
back of letter directed to him at an
address in Binghamton. 1t was from
NJ. O. Ottens & Co., OF New York, and
requested him to ship by express GER
tain goods unsold in his possession.
The letter is as follows and explains
the motive of suicide:
have taken r. j. Ingersoll's advice
and taken little morphine, that is when
he is tired Of living, as am, and can see
nothing to live for. l am worse than
"broke" and can see no way to recuperate.
have always tried to live an honest
life. but whisky has got the better Of me
and try as could was unable to conquer
the everlasting desire of its effects. l am
not insane. nor have l any fears OF the fu-
ture. My only regret in regard to this
cause my relatives who are respectable
people, residing in Greenwich, N. Y.
Whisky Is the cause of this act. If /
could nave controlled my appetite could
tide myself over my present financial
troubles. This money here is the last
have in the world, and it is due the laud-
lady. To the coroner: Doctor, be sure
that am dead before you allow my re-
mains to be placed in the coffin.
Yours, ETC., Ell. Stafford.
AnvIcp ro vo1rNC, ntpN
The other letter was written on the
back of a telegram received from the
same firm. 1t said;
rhereis pawn brokers' ticket in my vest
pocket calling for my watch If some one
will kindly look after it. If the boys no.
tify my brother. G. Il. Stafford, Green
wich. N. Y, he will no doubt come or send
after my remains.
My advice to young men is, avoid
gambling aud whisky, especially the lat
ter, as it is the only cause of my downfall.
Kind regards to all except those who
know they have wronged me. Paper is
shy and will have to stop writing.
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
Coroner Kelly was notified and he
arrived and empanneled the following
jury: 81 Coffee, Joseph Keogh, P. O.
Knight. S. N. Benjamin, q. A. Keller
Alex. Grumberger. After reading the
letters and listening to the testimony
Of the members of the family verdict
was rendered to the effect that the de-
ceased came to his death from an over
dose of morphine taken with suicidal
intent
Undertaken Raub removed the body
to his establishment on Spruce street
and telegram was sent to the dsat
mans brother. Stafford was a fire.
quentsr Of the gambling rooms about
town and had been drinking heavily
since he came to the city.