The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-01-25

Paul Gray, one of the most promi-
nent men of the city, committed sui
eide yesterday afternoon. The deed
was done within a short distance OF
Cottage Hill, where the deceased was
spending a few days with relatives.
Letters found upon the body showed
conclusively that he intended to sui
eide and that the supposed accident
of Sunday, when he fell from north
bound train, was nothing else than an
attempt at suicide.
Mr.. Gray had been in i'll health
for many months, and the recent fail
ure of the firm with which he was
connected tended to increase his
trouble dn fact-it drove him to sup
posed insanity and caused him to
commit the terrible deed. Letters
found upon the body stated that he
intended to do away with himsen,
and made suggestions to his wife re-
garding various affairs of the family.
Sunday Mr.. Gray, accompanied by
his wife, left the city on the noon
train for Cottage Hill on a visit TO
Egbert Beall, a relative. Enroute to
that place it was found that the gen.
tleman was missing from the train.
ana NllGu q was iuduS dAlu ne
was not found the train was ordered
backed and the gentleman found beside
the track IN q very seIfoue condition.
He was taken to the home of his
brother-in-law, Mr.. Beall, at Cottage
Hill.
Recovered From First Injury.
There he received medical atten-
ton and within a short time recover
ed to such an extent that he could
walk about the house and yard. Yes
terday he announced that he desir-
ed to go hunting and, procuring a
gun. shortly after the noon hour left
the home of Mr. Beal supposedly for
the purpose of taking a hunt, taking
with him several fine bird dogs, which
he had borrowed from friends in
Pensacola. Mrs Gray accompanied
him as far as the home of Mr.. Nc
Donald, which was some distance
from the home of Mr. Beall, and there
/! left him, as she intended to pay a
visit to that family.
An hour afterwards two shots were
heard. These came from the rear of
the house, in what is known as the
old graveyard. Mr.. Beall and others
were attracted by the shots and Mr..
Beall, not seeing anyone after the
smoke from the shots had lifted, left
at once for the place whence the
sounds came.
Body Was Found.
Mr.. Beall upon arriving there
found the lifeless form of Mr. Gray.
He had seated himself against the
trunk of big tree and, after the first
shot had missed its mark, had fir
ed another which almost tore away
his neck. Following closely upon the
heels of Mr.. Beall was Mrs. Gray, WHO
was Frustrated when she discovered
that her husband had killed himself.
A Journal reporter talked over the
long distance phone with Deputy
Sheriff Smith at Cottage Hill late yes
terday afternoon, and the latter stat
ed that the deceased had come to his
death at his own hands. At least
this was the verdict of the coroner's
jury. He further stated that two notes
were found upon the body. One was
dated on Sunday, and said that ne
(Mr. Gray. intended making away
with himself and asked that his wife
take care of his children, and direct
ed her as TO the manner to proceed
in various matters concerning the
family This was the note written
before Mr.. Gray attempted suicide by
jumping from the northbound train
Sunday, which was supposed to have
been an accident.
A Second Letter.
The other note, according to the
deputy. was almost of the same ma
ture, except that it stated that the
first attempt had been failure, but
that the one then contemplated would
be more successful.
The deputy stated that the coro-
ners jury. which viewed the remains
and heard the evidence rendered a
verdict that the deceased came to his
death at his own hands, using a shot
gun as a weapon to accomplish the
deed.
Mr. Gray had not been absent more
than an hour when the shots were
heard, and for a few minutes but Iit-
tie attention was paid to them. short
" afterwards, however, Mrs GRAY
became uneasy. and soon a party left
to search for her husband. Mr. Real
was the first to discover the bodv
The deceased had seated himself
against the trunk of a big tree. and
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