New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-14

THOMAS F. MCCORMICK COMMITS SUICIDE
IN A CEMETERY.

NO CAUSE KNOWN FOR TIE DEED HE HAD BEEN
uDGE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
IN UNION COUNTY FOR TWENTY YEARS.
Elizab beth. Sept IL (SpeciaD-Judge Thomas
F. Mccormick. who for twenty years was Judge
of the Court of Common Pleas In Union County.
committed suicide to-day by shooting himself
In the head with a revolver in st Mary's Gene
terry Elizabeth. II was about II o'clock when
Owen Herman one Of the aborers in the ceme
terry. who had heard a pistol-shot a short time
before came across the body OF man leaning
against n pine tree about fifteen feet from the
main gate Of the cemetery The mans face was
covered with blood. and he was dead although
the body was still warm.
Assistance was secured and the police were In
formed. Meanwhile the body was Identified az
that Of Judge Mccormick. The single shot from
the revolver had apparently accomplished It's
work instantly, the ball entering the forehead
over the eye and penetrating the brain The
clothing, other than the Disagreement from the
flow OF blood. was not disturbed.
The Judge had apparently entered the ceme-
terry. sat down on the grass under the slight
shade offered by a small pine tree placed the
small revolver to his temple and pulled the trig-
ger. and had fallen back dead. The revolver
police with one chamber empty As quickly az
possible the body was removed to Mitchell's
morgue. but not before crowd Of several hun
dred people had gathered at the cemetery on the
report Of the Judges tragic death
No reason can be assigned for the suicide
other than temporary arrangement of the mind
due to overwork and financial troubles. His do
nestle relations could not have been happier
his love for his wife and eight children being
observed by all familiar with his home life. lie
had a comfortable home at No. 16l Westheld-
Judge Thomas Francis Mccormick was born
| In Eliza beth in 1914. AT an early age. after
| public school education. he was sent to Man
! haitian College. and. after thorough course OF
| studies at that institution. was sent to Seton
! Hall College, at South Orange leaving there to
| go to st. Johns College. Fordham. where he
! was graduated in 1864. He Immediately entered
| the law Office OF Samuel D. Haines. and in the
| fall of 1871 he was admitted to the SewJersey
| bar as an attorney at-laW. Since that time he
| had been prominent in social club and political
! circles. Judge McCorm!ck's friends were many.
| OF a naturally affable disposition he made
many acquaintance. In politics he had been
leader in the Democratic ranks at an
early age In his career, and was always recog-
DiZed as a man OF influence in his party. In re-
turn for political work he appointed by
Governor Mcclellan in 1879 as law judge in the
/ Union County courts, and was reappointed by
! Governor Ludlow. and reappointed again for
his fourth term in 1892 by Governor Wcrts.
Judge Mccormick was prominent member OF
the Elks. He also belonged to the Democratic
Club Of WORK. and was personal friend
! of Senator Smita of New-Jersey. He leaves a
widow. four sons and four daughters. One OF
the Is Dr. Leo Mccormick, Of Lafay cite.
I His wife is the eldest daughter of Daniel De-
, Laney. Of Newark, who mede a fortune In the
manufacture Of bed springs in that city.