Muscogee-Fulton County GaArchives Obituaries.....Murphey, John W. January 1900
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Carla Miles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002476 December 12, 2004, 11:47 pm

The Marion County Patriot, January 19, 1900
The Marion County Patriot, No. 3
January 19, 1900
Page One

Columbus Scene Of A Double Tragedy

Capt. Murphey Instantly Kills Bookkeeper Shutze Then Commits Suicide

Cashier of the Third National Bank, While In A State of Temporary Aberration, 
Does Deadly Work With A Pistol

Columbus, Ga., Jan. 17 – Captain John W. Murphey, cashier of the Third National 
Bank, while in a state of temporary aberration, shot and killed P.T. Shutze, 
head bookkeeper of the bank, and then committed suicide.  He 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 38 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and shot the bookkeeper twice.  Both 
balls took effect in the head, either one of which would have proven fatal.

Then 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 and death was 
instantaneous.

Captain Murphey had been suffering with Bright’s disease for a year and had not 
had anything to do with the business affairs of the bank.  It had been evident 
for several weeks that his mind was not right.

The coroner’s jury, after a thorough investigation, returned a verdict that 
Captain Murphey killed both Mr. Shutze and himself while irresponsible for his 
acts.

Captain Murphey’s remains were taken to Atlanta and buried there today.  The 
body of Mr. Shutze will be interred here.

Captain Murphey was 60 years of age and had been cashier of the Third National 
bank since it was organized.  He represented Harris County in the legislature 
two terms.  He was a captain in the confederate service.  He was assistant 
state treasurer under J.W. Renfro a number of years.

Mr. Shutze was 38 years of age.  He was born in Greenville and had been here 11 
years.  He came here to take the position he held at the time of his death.  He 
possessed business ability of the highest order.  He is survived by a wife and 
three small children.



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