The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-06
From ~ Mo Pork Herald.
Suicide 0f One Eyed Thompson.

TIE ArreM Of Thompson and his death--his
Letters to tie Coroner and his VIE.
William Fl. Thompson known az One-Ey
Thompson, died yesterday morning, ut quarter
past six o'clock, in the Essex street prison 1t
will be recollected he was in prison on charge
of counterfeiting. His death was caused by
taking thirty-two grains of morphine, as stated
by him in q letter left, directed to the coroner.
He also left letter directed to his wife, and
note directed to Mr.. Oliver, keeper of the Jail,
requesting him to inform his wife of his death
G<osns were heard from his cell at half past nine
o'clock on Sunday night when the officers found
him in state Of almost insensibility. He ling
cred till death put period to his sufierings.
After empaneling coroner's jury, the follow
ing letter. written by the deceasee, and directed
to the coroner, was read in evidence -
| LETTER FROM THOMPSON TO THE CORONER.
| There is nothing extraordinary in my end
From my boyish days, as far back as my mem
ory serves, l have had disposition to commit
suicide. Surrounded by mystery above my
comprehension, and one that no theory promul-
gated by others appeared to me a solution of, |
have desired death, us either the means OF a
better comprehension, or as a state of internal
quiet. For long time | have lived only for
others-those that could not but love, and was
|
| found this new charge to my prejudice, am
aware. But why should do so?
The history Of the past is al index to the fu-
ture, and the hope of being of further service to
\ my family has departed. Solong as a man may
DO useful to those he is bound to protect, the act
OF suicide is selfish, criminal, and cowardly.-
But cannot conceive it so when his continued
existence is likely to be attended with no good
effect. For reasons, and from causes not neces-
sary for me to explain--but apart from any dan
ger that may now be supposed to threaten my
liberty, for none such exist feel that it is my
duty to die My death may serve those am
physically and mentally incapable Of further
beneftting. All meu live only in the future, and
those most gifted and wise would notl like to live
their past life over So little is life worth. So
far as my ability allowed, have been all that a
man could be to his children. Their reputation
with that Of my wife, is unstained; and to the
charitable and good commend them. The un
thinking and malignant will prosecute them on
) my account.
The cowardly and base will endeavor to make
capital by publications to my injury. For money
they will outrage the feelings of an noffensive
, virtuous woman, and her helpless children. Who
knows what the morrow may bring forth, OF
what father can foretell the fate of his children
t The nterposition of the thinking and the virtn
GUS again implore. Let not my imputed sins
; be visited too heavily upon my children. Lee
my sufferings atone for all. They should b.
sufficient. beg the forgiveness of those have
injured, and die forgiving all without malice, o.
for any other than justifiable views.
solemnly declare that the Drurys are guilty
/ of all with which they have been charged This
e | assert from positive knowledge. The theory
that Warner had any knowledge Of the torpedo
previous to its explosion, is false. Gates mis-
takenly swears to my being in New York ut the
time he specifies. At seven o'clock on the
evening in question, left my house, as several
will testify. At half past seven o'clock, was
in the drug store of Dir. Rice, and from there
returned home, and went out with my wife, al
r many know who met us when abroad. TIL,
disposition made of my body, to me can be o
: no consequence. Yet, so far as l can, desir,
J to spare the feelings Of those who loved mi
> while living On their account, to prevent mu
|, tilation, that would increase their sufferings,
J. state that my death was caused by thirty -tw'
+ grains of acetate Of morphine. procured i
without the c0nnivance of any one.
/, W. H. THOMPSON.
After the above letter was read, the evidenc,
Of Dr. Stiles was taken, whose testimony wen
to show that the deceased came to Ills death b,
,, taking quantity of morphine. The following
verdict was rendered by the jury That the
) deceased came to his death by taking quantity
Of acetate of morphine, by his own hand, thereby
E causing his DEATH"
Letter from Thompson 10 his Wife.
Wife Of my soul, divinity of my affections, m,
patient, enduring, gentle, and affectionate Mary
E ere this meets your eye, trust that eternal re
: pose will have settled upon your unhappy hus
! band. Were this new charge my only trouble
: | could certainly overcome it. OF all the com
plants made to my prejudice, it could be tn,
most easily Defeated, for at the very time, half
past seven o'clock when Gates swears he saw
me in New York, was in DR.. Rices store, a,
!. he recolects, and previous thereto, for an hou
you and others know me to have been in Brook
lyn. But my Mary, | am sick of life, so mucl
/ so that am incapable of longer continuing it
have lost all hope of being benefit to you
and our little ones--a hope that alone has sus.
tanned years of wretched existence, and made
me capable Of meeting and defeating more than
most men similarly crcumstanced could have
: done. / know, dearest Molly, that you will
suffer for a time by my loss. Not only, sweet
one, through your affection for me, but upon
/, you will devolve the care Of our family. Cheer
up-waste no time mourning for one who is un-
worthy of you. To you, it was hard fate that
joined our fortunes. Once away, and kind
friends will protect you. Your reputation has
never been assailed, and no woman ever pos
; sessed purer or better nature, As all who know
you will bear witness. Do not increase your
sufferings by supposing my last moments to be
peculiarly miserable. / am almost restrained,
) sweet wife, from giving words to my affection,
and disposed to write coldly, for fear of too
powerfully affecting you. have more regard for
your tears than for my own blood; and, if /
could, would welcome an eternity of torture if
by so doing | could secure your happiness.
Again, say, death for me, apart from considera-
tons of you and our children, has no terror.
have no fear oft and hereafter leave to the
divine mystery that created me, and to whom
can owe no responsibility. My destiny is full
filed, and the great creator cannot mistake the
purposes Of his mechanism
On my breast, nearest the heart that has beat
for you alone, place lock Of your hair, with
the one preserved of my fathers, together with
our chidren's, so that with my dust may assim-
late portion Of the dust of those whom have
Invad an wpll