The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-09-17
Melancholy Suicide.

Yesterday man was brought into the DO.
lice office, who complained that he was follow
ed by host of persons who sought to take
his life, and desired to be protected He was
recognized by person in the Office to be
MIR. Wesley Woodwork, the son of Judge
Woodworth, of Albany. He was taken into
the prison, and appeared to be willing to re-
main there until his pursuers could be got rid
Of During the afternoon, at his request, food
was purchased for him, and he partook of it
freely. In the evening he was locked up in
his cell, and upon opening his cell this NOR
ming, it was ascertaned that he had commit
ted suicide, either during the night, or at an
early hour this morning. We visited the cell
where he lay, this morning, when we found
that he had destroyed his life with a com.
mon sharp pointed penknife, with which he
had cut terrible cash in his left arm, sever
ing the veins and one or more arteries
He lay upon straw pallet, with one foot
resting on the floor, and the right arm hang
ing down. The knife lay on the opposite
side of his cell, from which we should Judge
that after cutting himself he had suddenly
flung the knife from him. The bed was COW
cred with clothed blood, and the wall and floor
was sprinkled over with blood 1t is evident
that he could have lived but few moments
after the inAiction of the wound. 1t is strange
that a man laboring under the delirium ire
mems should be locked up in cell alone with
out being searched.
letter was written last night at his re-
quest to his aged mother at Albany, inform
ing her where he was, and of his condition
and the news of his untmely end brought
about by his own hand, will be something
that she is little prepared TO hear. The de-
ceased was about 80 or 40 years of age, and
in his younger days he was reported to be-
one of the handsomest men in Albany.-Ere-
ming Post.
Thus terminated the life of one, who was
by parentage, education, and association, en-
inently qualified to lead useful and honora-
bic life ; and who, no doubt, under more fa-
vorable circumstances, would have been dis
tinguished among the best and the most tall
ented men of his day. He was a noble and
generous hearted young man-spirited and
ambitious, and for time gave great promise
of honoring himself and his country; but like
too many young men of his class, who are not
fortified against the drinking habits of the
day, he sacrificed his life upon the blood
stained altar Of intemperance In accordance
with the usages Of good society, he drank wine
at parties, at weddings, at balls, and in this
way he contracted an appetite for strong
drink, which grew with his growth, and
strengthened with his strength, until at length
it became omnipotent, overpowering con-
science, reputation, pride, ambition, every
thing, and finally, he became a maniac, and
was confined in DR.. Whites lunatic asylum
at Hudson, where he gradually recovered his
reason, and returned to his friends. About
this time the Washngtonian reformation COM
and Woodwork was attracted to
its Standard signed the pledge, and under
the patronage Of Mr.. Dela1an of Albany,
made a temperance tour, during which he de-
livered temperance lectures, which were so
much superior to the ordinary Washngtonian
experiences, that wherever he went, his houses
were filled with the most respectable and in
tellectual citizens. Finally, however, his APP
petite, sharpened by temptation every where
surrounding him, proved too powerful for
his resolution, and he relapsed into his former
habits, from which he never recovered, and
which al last led him within the cell Of n