The Morning News

JUMPED OVERBOARD AT SEA.

Supposed Suicide of a Passenger on the Tallahassee.

A cabin passenger on the steamship Tallahassee, booked as E. Hastings, Savannah, Ga., disappeared from the vessel the night after her departure from New York on her last trip down and is supposed to have jumped overboard.

The Tallahassee arrived at her wharf here at 4 o'clock yesterday morning and the matter was at once reported to the Company's office. The steamer left New York Thursday afternoon. Hastings was assigned to his stateroom and was seen several times on deck and in the cabin during the evening. He was in the smoking room between 9 and 10 o'clock, and that was the last seen of him. Mr. S. S. Friedlim and Mr. J. Fischer, of Savannah, were in the smoking room and talked with Hastings some time. From their description he was about 5 feet 9 inches in height, dark complexioned. rather sallow, black hair and moustache, dark eyes and apparently about 28 years old. He wore a black coat and vest, gray pantaloons, black derby hat, low quarter patent-leather shoes, brown stockings, standing collar and black tie. He had a watch chain, and probably a watch, although the latter was not seen. He said that he had a place in Bronson, Fla., and was on his way there for his health. He mentioned to Messrs. Fisher and Friedlim several parties there whom he said that he knew. Among others were W. J. Epperson and Ira J. Carter. He seemed to be in ill health, and was melancholy, low spirited and not inclined to talk much. He was not under the influence of liquor. and it is supposed that in a fit of despondency he jumped overboard. He was not missed until the next morning after the ship left New York and then a careful search was made without finding any traces of him. His berth had not been occupied. He had no baggage and there was nothing in his stateroom by which he might be identified. Capt. Fisher says that he has no doubt that the man committed suicide. Inquiry in Savannah failed to discover any friends of the missing man.