The herald., 1897-05-11
Julius A. Kelly Blows
Out His Brains
HIS BUSINESS REvERsEs
PREYED UPON HIS MIND OF
LATE
Said to Have Invested His Wife's
Money In an Improbable Under
taking-Details

Julius A. Kelly, well-known resident
of this city, committed suicide shortly
after midnight last night by blowing out
his brains with revolver. The act wac
committed at 221 West Fifth street,
where Kelly and his wife have been liv-
ing for the past month. He first took
large dose OF laudanum and then shot
himself.
Business difficulties are said to be the
cause OF the rash act. Several months
ago Kelly purchased half interest in
the Anheuser- Busch saloon on South
Spring street. About week ago he
sold out and It is understood lost con-
siderable sum by the transaction. AS
result he hae been very much depressed
ever since. ,a
Yesterday morning Kelly left home
Immediately after breakfast and said
that he was going to Santa Monica to
look after some business matters. He
did not return until nearly II o'clock and
found his wife in a high state Of anxiety
at his long absence. She reproached
him for staying away and complained
of being lonesome without him. He re-
piled by saying: Eyes, know it is not
right, ought not to leave you." and
then kissing her two or three times he
walked into closet across the hall.
In two or three minutes after he left
a pistol shot was heard. The proprietor
of the house hurried to the place and
found Kelly lying upon the floor with the
blood squirting from bullet hole In the
temple. Mrs. Kelly also heard the shot
and guessed the cause. She fell in
hysterical At. By this time several of
the inmates Of the house had arrived
upon the scene and doctor was sent for.
The coroner was notified by telephone
at the came time. When the physician
arrived Mrs. Kelly was put under the
influence of an opiate.
When the coroner reached the scene
he found the body lying in pool of
blood in the closet. A vial of laudanum,
which was half empty. was on the floor
beside the dead man. indicating that he
had taken dose Of the poison before
shooting himself. The body was re-
moved to Orr & Hines undertaking par
lors. where the inquest will be held to-
day.
Kelly has been In terrible state of
depression for several weeks. and had
frequently threatened to kill himself
If he did not succeed in his business. 1t
Is understood that he invested large
amount of his recently welded wife's
money in the Anheuser-Busch saloon.
When he realized that the venture was
unsuccessful, and that he had lost the
greater portion Of it, he brooded over
the fact and has not been quite himself
since.
About three months ago Kelly was
divorced from his former wife, who lives
on the corner of Bunker Hill avenue
and Court street. A month later he mar
ried widow named Wanfield. She was
woman Of considerable wealth, and it
is understood furnished the money
Busch saloon. The two rented suite
of rooms at 221 West Fifth street, and
have been living there since. Kelly has
three daughters by his first wife, all of
whom live with their mother.
Kelly was about As years old, and has
lived in this city for eighteen years. He
has occupied several official positions
ard is we'll known. He was once elect
ed county recorder, and was for several
years connected with the Guarantee
Abstract and Trust company. His lat
est business connection was with the
Anhueser-Busch, which proved so un-
fortunate. Mr.. Kelly's mother lives in
this city, at 243 South Spring street
She was not informed of the tragedy
last night.