The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-06-06
Haunted MAN
ENDS HIS LIFE
The Suicide First Put Bullet
Through Woman's Picture
Left Silly Note

Washington, June 6.-Leveling his
revolver at the picture of beautiful
girl that stood on his bureau, James
Murphy, watchman in the state, war
and navy building, last evening fired
bullet through the head. Then plac-
ing the weapon against his own tenn
pie. he killed himself A note that he
left tells the story Of his last moments
and OF the weird fancy that prompted
him to shoot at the head of the girl
in the picture. The letter reads:
"See the picture Of that girl holding
cat in her arms-pretty cat, eh?
Well, watch me plug the lady and her
feline majesty between the eyes, then
l will finish Murphy.
P. Swell, l guess you see the
hole in the lady's head didn't miss.
And won't miss the second shot,
either"
The suicide occurred at the home of
the dead man, at SOC 1-2 street north
west. Lying across the bed in his
room he was found by other residents
Of the place. Coroner Nevitt was no.
titled and had the body removed to the
morgue.
Spoke of the Picture
Those who resided at Murphys
home are unable to assign the cause
of his suicide. He had been drinking
during the last few days, but when
last seen was in a cheerful frame of
mind, and said nothing that might
have aroused even suspicion of des-
pondency. His last significant remark
and the significance came only after
he was dead-was to a neighbor on
the day proceeding his death.
There is the picture Of pretty
girl in my room," he said. "and some
day it will make me do something
foolish
The picture over which the man
brooded before he ended his life is a
cheap one. No name is attached. The
original, however, is pretty, and is
represented as holding small kit
ten in her arms. She looks directly
out of the picture and is stroking the
tiny animal she holds. There is no
name on the picture and nothing to
identify it with the tragedy in which
it played so sinister part.
1t is supposed that Murphy went to
his room with the revolver which he
habitually carried, sat on the bed and
became uncannily attracted by the
pretty picture opposite him. As he
gazed the determination came to him
to test his craftsmanship on the pho
tograph.
AS he gazed, a grim humor seemed
to come over him, and, turning to his
writing desk, he indited the whimsical
note that was found later. Then, lev
cling his revolver he fired at the
picture, and the sweet girl face was
marred, as a bullet entered cleanly
between the eyes. Returning to his
desk. Murphy wrote his epilogue-a
last testament to his earthly prowess
and returned to bed.
Second Ball For Himself
Then the revolver was lifted again,
and second bullet, fired evidently
the first, crashed into his right tenl-
pie. His face during this time evil
IDENTIFY was toward the picture.
And so they found him. He was
barely conscious and unable to do
more than point to the picture when
residents of the house entered his
room and carried him to the parlor.
The Emergency hospital ambulance
arrived at the house after Murphy had
died, and Coroner Nevitt, who had
been summoned in the meanwhile,
ordered the body temporarily remov-
ed to the morgue. while certificate
Of suicide was issued.
According to the police, the nerve
displayed by the man is one of the
most remarkable examples OF courage
they ever have seen. 1t is clear. they
declare, that when he entered the
room he had determined to kill him
self.
Anticipating the possibility of the
picture playing some hidden part in
the tragedy. the police are making
an effort to learn the identity of the
original.