Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-08-15
From ne Ne~ yor. m.,all. Av,,,, n.

Darn OF WILLIAM NJ. PR'cE Eso.-The community
shocked yesterday morning by the Sudden and violent
death OF VIM NJ Price, Esq., who put an end 10 IA. life b,
shooting himself in the head with pistol the pistol
ley attached to Otignons gymnasium, In Canal
Mr. Price was lawyer by profession. and few mon CON-
meneed lite under moro hatierng auspices lie COM
meneed the practice oi his profession thirty years ago.
in partnership with Mr.. Smith. since deceased The
connection between him and Mr. Smith continued for mn
year, during which time they had large practice
which brought in considerable income. At the dssolu
ton Of the partnership with Mr. Smith, Mr. Price Joined
In business with VIM s. Sears Esq then student I'm m.
Office, and now one OF eminent and respectable
awyers,w with whom he remsnsd in partnership until short
time before his death. In 1884. he appointed u s.
District At,inoy for the Southern district Of New York
which office he held until his resignation In 1887 when
he visited France. lie stayed abroad nearly two years
when he returned and resumed the practice Of his ptole
SION, but failed In getting much business His affairs for
some years before his DEATH desperate and getting
worse every day. until he considered them and
IN TIT OF despair committed the rash that terminated
his le Mr. Price was liberal hearted, generous man in
time OF prosperity and scattered his money pofuse
hand In adversely his sunshine friends neglected him; and
who eat OF his bread and drank Of hi, wine when no
had to give, refused help him when he got involved in
difficulties.
CoRosER's OTTicE Aug. ll.-Saieids.-The Coroner
held an inquest this morning. the Of Elm and Ca
nal streets IN the pistol gallery of Charles F. on
the body OF William NJ. Price. counsellor Of law nay,
OF England, years OF age. who committed suicide ycs-
terday, by shooting himself in the head with pistol IL
appears this unfortunate has been this rash
by pecuniary fact of his eay
ing letter dree Coroner on the inside of which
were directions 10 his creditors setting forth in substance
that he had loaned thousands IN his time Of prosperity to
friends, and that in adversely he met with cold
reception that his embarrassmcnts had brought him to
fatal despair. Signed. William NJ. Price Also letter
directed his wife, which the coroner took charge
OIL Ahs several papers found his person. All
the money he had him twenty FIVE cent piece
We give the following testimony taken before the Co.
| roner
JosErH BREWER being examined by the Coroner stated
that he resided with Charles r. Otgnon his Gymnas-
um, at the corner OF Canal aud Elm streets had charge
OF the pistol gallery the above place. think il WAS
bout quarter eleven O'Clock this forenoon WIN
Price, the man now lying here dead. into the gym
nasum aud into the reading where was; he then
asked me where the pistol gallery toos the key aud
went and showed him; when got the gallery he ask
ed me II the pistols were loaded told him he request
ed me TO try than. which did, he told to load them
as he wanted 10 fire. loaded one and handed him cock
ed he laid the bench, and asked me TO load another
which did; he then asked for III told him il was
dangerous TO leave around cooked he the one he
had laid the bench, and fired the IAgc then took
from him, and handed him the other which was loaded
and he fired that also at the target he then asked 20
down ster tumber OF water for him, which did leaving
him alone IN the room; when up with the water. he
drank o it, and loaded the pistols times ard he fred
at the target. After he had fired the Sh pistol, asked
him il should load them ln he said no. that he would
take rest first; he shilngs for he had
hired, aud said IN the meantime you may lead the pistols
m,
there three pistols altogether aud loaded two OF
them, which laid the box the window seat left the
other which loaded the window by the side
OF the box; then rubbed the marks target and
went down stairs with Mr.. Russ who up with me-;
when brought the locked the door Of the room
aud lief, the key in it; person in the the
time; found the deceased IN the Gymnasium, where he
walked up and down with his hands behind him. and his
head down; left him in the Gymnasium and came up in
the Reading Room; he came up about minutes after
and asked We had morning paper; Mr. Russ said yes,
and handed him the Herald he then walked into the
Sparing Room and up stairs into the Pistol Gaery-no
with him. after he had been the Gallery
think about minute and half said Mr.. Russ let us
up stairs and If he ready shoot; Just had
TO the head Of the stairs, Christopher Long up
also found the door shut but locked; opened the
door aSd in, and there the deceased lying the
floor the window where left the box with loaded
pistols he lying with the right side Of his on the
hoor and considerable blood the floor about his
there was no other person in the the time
examined the pistol which lying at the feet Of the
deceased, the hoor and found il loaded; one
OF them, which wss lying the shelf close win
dow loaded and another the window seat unload
| ed, | had left it.