The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-18

| EToW Inc JVeV York k4<vold.
DENOMINATION TO COMMIT SUlcrps, on rAx-
ING ADVANTAGE or THE nAEs.---At all times when
an excitement is raised in the COMMUNICATIVE
by failures IN business, extensivs forgsries stock
Jobbing operations, or rush of singular suicides
starte tho moral citizens of this large citythers
are always some individuals who jump at the OPP
portunity IN order to make 1t advantageous 10
their own account. In consequence Of the late
excitement caused by the remarkable suicide of
one-eyed Thompson, and many others in the
neighborIng cities, an attempt has been made to
gull the public.
| 1t seems that young German, 81 years of age,
clerk IN a mercantile house down town, conceived
tho idea or feignng to commit suicide, with
view, evidently, CT obtaining immunity from his
employers, from whom he had embezzled moneys
believing, no doubt, that during the present ex-
ctement on suicides, his redemption would be ac-
complished, and that the bold act Of sef-destruc-
tion would be considered set-off for the miss
ing money. Accordingly, on Thursday morning
last, the clerk addressed letter to his employers
setting forth that on the receipt Of the letter he
would be no more; that his body would be found
either at Abingdon square, at hotel in the
vicinity OF Broadway. In this letter he proceeded
TO dispose of the little effects he possessed, and
expressed wish to be buried decently, and par
ticuarly to allow gold ring on one of his fingers
10 remain thereon, as remembrance ofthe past.
The readers, alarmed at the tenure Of the letter.
scarcely knew what to do--frst a messenger
however, was despatched forthwith to the hotel
anolher TO Abingdon square, but all without sue
cess, as no tdngs could be discovered Of the des-
Perate young man. The coroner's Office was next
applied to, and luckily they met with MIR. Blake
~, the ehlcient deputy coroner, to whom the sub
stance OF the letter given. Mr.. Blakely
smiled, and then looked first at one and then at
the other, and remarked-"No gentlemen, we
have not heard of the suicide as yet, but il You
wait until tomorrow, in all probability we may
have the case. The merchants, however, consid-
ered II their duty to prevent the contamination Of
the violence IT possible, and politely requested Mr.
blakely to accompany them to the designated
MOTEL and endeavor to ascertain more particulars
W.T.. Bakely did So and on the register at the ho-
tel the assumed name was found, and the number |
Of the room, entered the evening previous; but
was informed by the book keeper that the person |
had left that morning. Notwithstanding the de- |
mai IN relation to the room being occupied Mr.. |
blaks'y insisted on going up to the apartment,
ana thereby ascertainng the fact for himself On |
arriving at the door it found locked and the |
key inside, which was evident sign of some
one being there. Mr.. B. knocked at the door sew
eral times, and in return received only a loud
groan A chair was procured by which he could
look through the window over the door, and there
ne saw the desperate individual lying on the bed,
with his clothing on, and his arm over his face. :
Mr. Blakely again called to him, and shook the
door violently. BY this time the merchants came
up stairs, and in an instant, rather than the door
should be broken open, the gentle youth descend
ed from the bed and unlocked the door, and quick
ly retired TO his former position on the bed
Mr. Bakely and the merchants entered the
room, and on small table by the side Of the bed,
was a box open; containing percussion caps.
Nv ell, SAID the deputy coroner, 'here we are, |
all ready to hold an inquest your body accord |
ing to Your letter. the undertaken is engaged, and |
your coffin is down stairs waiting for you, and
you hav mt yet done the job. Why, what have
you been about Where ia the instrument Or
death - Mr.. Blakely, here suiting his actions to
ms words, turned over the arm of the young man,
ana there, under the sheet, was discovered small
single barrel pistol, supposed to be loaded having
car. on and the hammer up, ready to discharge,
but the muzzle carefully pointing in the opposite
direction to his person. Mr.. Blakey picked up
the pistol, exhibited it to the merchants and re-
marked, "You see, gentlemen, this is all humbug;
you need not entertain any fear; this is-a sham
affair, he never intended to commit suicde''
"Here," said Mr.. Blakely, offering the pistol to |
the young man, "take it and finish up the Job il |
you intend to make fool of yourself, and not
fool us. | have come to hold the inquest, and
these gentlemen to attend to your funeral rites, and
see that you are respectfully inferred" AT this
cool request OF Mr.. Blakely the gentleman could
not but laugh; but the young man made no de-
monstration to accept the profered offer. "WelI,"
said Mr.. b., eli you will not finish the business,
all that shall make in ,he matter will be the ps-
gether in a paper, and left tts room, leaving the
clerk and his employers to patch up the reconcilia-
ton as they might deem suitable on the occasion !
Mr.. Blakely returned to his office, and on exam
nation of the pistol, he found it to contain small
ball, loose IN the barrel and piece Of paper on |
TOP to Keep 1t from rolling out, but no powder |
The cap was discharged, which blew out the ball |
on the floor, as perfect as when it went in And
thus, for the present, ended this would-be desper
ate affair.