Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1845-06-19


A correspondent Of the Baltimore Patriot,
wiring from Cumberland, Nd, under dals Of
The 9th instant, SAYS:
"Our toun was greatly shocked this evening
y me suicide Of WiLLIAM KxN BUsKiRK, Esq,
me late Secretary Of State under Gov. Francis
Thomas. Af. Buskirk killed himself wilh u,
ne gun, near1he Court House door, al q few
inmates hefcFes o'clock The muxxle being
neld between the eye brows, and the discharge
effected Sy the tam-rod, producing instant death.
Nc. buskirk vas in the ofiise Of Geo. A. Pearee,
ESQ, few minukes before, where he wrote Two
leueis, which were found in his hat--ihe one 10
;. ". Semnes, Esq, desiring him 10 COMMUNE
ea'e we fesrfel news TO his family, and the 2.
ther this brief note:
Let nosman presume to eensure an acsWhich
docs him no harm, and which be il not capable
'of understanding.
The immediate cause ofihis,s sad affair was, no
doubi, poverty. Mr.. Buskirk was too much the
child Of geniuS anSsensibfliiy 10 Sc successful in
business pursaiis.F He has been struggling With
lPecunlary embarrassment for years. Lately, he
became dssipssed, and was no doubt weary N
the world. For some time past, however, 6e
was entirely temperate, and Mr.. Pearce informs
me that when be was 10 his Office to-day he was
perfectly sober, and pleasant in his demeanor
and conversation. After writing his letters, be
Fasked if MFs $emmes was IN town, after which
The conversation lock 30 agreeable literary turn
Mr.. Buskirk was educated at West Point, for the
army, but soon abandoned il for the law, aud in
the beginning with much success. He was fine
bellies let;reS' scholar ofexcellent TASTE aud cut.
tivaied genius, and frequently, when he had az
occasion to call him out, SCARED into The higher
departments OF oratory.-He has very ffeqosnI-
Y Fep fad fhSe sN, skaN
was lately Gov. Thomas, Secretary Of Slate, and
was always great favorite with his parry.
canno, but feeEprofoundly at this terrible ,ermi-
nato Of bis career, and yet yisldingto his final
earthly thoughts, will not presnme to sit 10
judgment on an act which does mo no harm, and
which ] am not capable Of understanding. He
was bout in the 42d year of his age, and pos
sesSed warm anil generous keart. Ia his letter
to Mfr. Semmess he desires that The public press
make no comments whatever on his melancholy
fate. VI a
We 6ud in ths Cumberland Alleganian, The
following letter from VIM. Van. Buskirk to s.
NJ. semmes, Esq, written Immediately prior 70
bis death: = :.
tCuMBERLANp, June 9th, Is45.
Dear Sir The act which am about 10 COM
nit has been in contemplation for some time,
as you ND suppose, when assure you that
this is ths second attempt. The FIRST failed
from the swapping Of the gun, but think she
will go this time Why should an inquisilion be
necessary, when furnish all the facts with my
own hands, so that suspicion can be entertained
Of no one ! and, besides, the thing is not 10 be
=" done IN corner. -
My reason for doing this deed is.that ] am
weary Of life and hopelessly unhappy.
desire you, my ri lend, TO make the commu-
nicatiou to Mrs. Biin the best way you can
Perhaps il may@ MOI be altogether unexpected
by her, as have more than once intimaled 10
Der that might take such course. WI
The clergy sometime avail themselves ofsuch
an occurrence to point moral, 2 and the press
to furnish . paragraph hope they will have
sufficient self-denial to dispense with this char
liable and exquisite qualification in the present
instance. ~ II
My advice-to Mrs. B. would be to return 10
her friends in Virginia. ~ '
With mos: fervent wish that you may en-
joy long life Of happiness and prosperity ! am
most truly your friend w. ". BusKIRK.
To s. NJ. Semmes, Esq NJ "