Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-09-27
C. F. M'CAFFERTY
COMMITS SUICIDE
Drowned Himself Because He Had Been
Forbidden to Call on Af1anCed.
PLUNGED into THE GHRISTIANA
Offered Up a Prayer Before
Taking His Life.
REFUSED TO GRASP A LIFE LINE

Because of an obstacle which might
prevent marriage with the young
woman Of his choice, Charles +. Nc
Cafferty, aged 27 years, Of Monroe
street and Concord avenue, formerly
Elliott avenue, committed suicide at 5. 40
o'clock Tuesday morning by throwing
himself into the Christians River from
Shipley street wharf. Before taking the
plunge that ended his life, be kneeled
on the b. & o. Railroad Go. g wharf,
to which he had wandered, and prob
ably offered up prayer to his Maker
to forgive him for the rash step he was
about to take. After he reached the
water he refused assistance, evidently
having determined to go to watery
grave That the deed was contemplated
there appears to be no doubt, as note
found on the body indicates that sui
eide by drowning was planned. The
young man could not swim.
At the time stated Warren Wilson Of
Baltimore, Nd. was walking across
Market street bridge when his atten-
tion was attracted by seeing a man
first kneeing on Shipley street wharf
as if in prayer and then Jumping into
the water. Wilson was not near enough
to go to the assistance of the drcwping
man, but made an outcry which at
tracted the attention of Horace Booter,
fireman on the tughOst Laura B., who
threw out a line. The drowning man
had come to the surface by this time,
but refused to take hold of the rore
and went down to his death. Bridges
tenders Green and Swan were notified
and in about two hours the body was
recovered by George Green and Charles
GriG3th ahntrf kn tuh
the drowning occurred. The police and
coroner were notified and Deputy
Coroner Giles took charge Of the body
and had it sent to the morgue.
In the pockets of the deceased were
found letters addressed to CHARLES h.
McCatferty, Elliott avenue and Market
street," and note evidently written
by the young man and reading as fol-
lows: ''lf you don't see Charles just
look for him along the Delaware River
or Brandywine Creek G. +. Mo
Cafferty, Elliott avenue aud Market
street. {" The writer probably intended
to leave the note on the wharf before
jumping overboard, but neglected to do
80.
An honr. after the body was found
Mrs. Kate McCafferty, mother Of lie
deceased, and the young mans sister,
were Informed OF the young mans death
by reporter of The Gazette. The
addresses on the letters all being
"Elliott avenue and Market street."
the reporter was of the impression that
the young mar lived somewhere in ttat
peighborhood, but found the house
about half mile west Of Market street
and just north OF Concord avenue on
Monroe street.
Mrs. McCatferty and her daughter
were heart broken by the sad news and
for time both were too much over
come by grief to say much. They were
eager to know in what manner the
young man had met death, and when
| the reporter had explained all to them
their sorrow was even greater.
Mrs. McCatferty said her son was
usually lively and happy around the
house, butrecently the mother of the
young woman to whom he had been en-
gagged broke off the match and forbade
MIN gong to the house. This gave
| him great deal OF concern and he fire.
quently talked about it to his mother,
| and a few days ago told her he wished
he was out of the way. She cheered
him. however, and it was not known
| that he was brooding over the matter
at all. During the last few days he
has been inquiring OF his mother
whether any letters we're received from
| the young woman and upon receiving
a negative reply seemed very much
disappointed. Monday night, however,
when he left home shortly after supper,
he appeared in good spirits and said
he was going to have his shoes repaired.
Nothing was seen of him by the family
after that. He was seen down town
duriug the evening. Thomas E. Malin
and several other friends we've talking
to him at Sixth and Shirley streets
about 5 O'Clock. but they do not know
| where he went after that.
Harry F. McCafferty. the young
mans father, who is employed by John
Roberts of Lamokin, Pa, was notified
by telegraph of his sons death and
came home Tuesday afternoon.
Deceased was florist and was we'll
known about the city, being proficient
at his calling. During the past sum
mer he was park guard and flcrist at
Malin's Grove, adjoining Shellpot
Park, and since the closing of the park
had worked for Alonzo Baylis. He had
been engaged by John j. Kulatle.
florist at Franklin street and Shallcross
avenue, to go to work for him tomorrow.
IIic life ryac ipaurad