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CASHIER WAS INSANE 1Capt. Murphey Kills BookkeeperShutze and Suicides.BLOODY TRAGEDY IN COLUMBUS, GA.Victim of Demented Man YVas Led To lli* Death Unsuspectingly Both l'artie* Were l'rominent.At Columbus, Ga., Tuesday morning, Captain John W. Murphey, cashier of the Third National bank, while in a state of temporary aberration shotand killed P. T. Shutze, head bookkeeper of the hank, and then committed suicide.Murphey called Mr. Shutze into his private office for the purpose of getting him to write a letter. He then locked the door, as was his custom, to insure perfect privacy. Mr. Shutze had seated himself at his typewriter and had taken hold of a piece of paper when Captain Murphey, seized by some insane impulse, drew from his pocket a thirty-eight caliber Smith Wesson pistol and shot his bookkeeper twice. Both balls took effect in the head, either one of which would have proven fatal.Before those within hearing of the reports could realize whence they came, Captain Murphey turned the smoking revolver upon himself, placing the muzzle in his mouth, and pulled the trigger. The ball went to a vital spot aud death was instantaneous.Shutze probably never knew what struck him. When found he was still in a lifeless position, sitting in the chair, his hand still clutching his paper, only his head was slightly dropped on his shoulder. When President G. Gunby Jordan unlocked an outer door and entered the room a few minutes later he could hardly believe he was dead aud called his name. But there was no response. Almost withintouch Mr. Jordan observed CaptainMurphey lying in a puddle of blood and brains, a horrible sight.The homicide and suicide created the most intense excitement and shocked the city profoundly. Both men were prominent and popular, and the news could not at first bo realized, as it was known that the personal relations of the two had been most pleasant.*Captain Murphey had been suffering with Bright’s disease for a yearaud had not had anything to do wriththe business affairs of the bank. It had been evident for several wTeeks that his mind was not right.The coroner’s jury, after a thorough investigation, returned a verdict thatCaptain Murphey killed both Mr.Shutz and himself while irresponsible for hisacts.Captain Murphey was sixty years o' age and had been cashier of the Third National bank since it was organized. He was born in Harris county. Herepresented that county in the legislature two terms. He was a captain in the confederate service. He was assistant state treasurer under J. W. Kenfro a number of years. Politicallyhe was very prominent.Mr. Shutze was thirty-eight years of age. He was born in Greenville, Ga., and had been in Columbus eleven years. He possessed business ability of the highest order. President Jordan spoke of -him as one of the most reliable, painstaking, competent, conscientious men he ever saw. Mr. Shutze was also secretary of the Columbus Power Company and treasurer of the Interstate Building and Loan Association. He is survived by a wife and three small children.
Newspaper Details
Winder Jackson Economist
Winder, Georgia, US
Thu, Jan 18, 1900
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 27 Feb 2023
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