Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1855-07-10
31tt4ttTtdGtUu4
From the Petersburg Express, June ..
SUICIDE OF +. {. STilSBACK.

OF tho many sad occurrences which fall under tho
journalists notice. perhaps the article we are called
we look upon the the selGdesruction OF man
in the prime Of life in health and Tignr OF body, and
seemingly ordinary power Of mind When we contein'
ulate the act Of determined suicide of such man, by
which leaves deep distress family OF six Children
young beautiful aud good and an atieciC"ate wiie ana
leaves queer world lcence to comment upon h.;
self destroying in every form the worlds mind will
20 strangely imagine. When consider all these
things we repeat that and the community generally
Ct this city, panied and greved hear yesterday
first Of the day tho awful suicide Of Francis
Charles Stanback.
Perhaps man in this city was better known than
the above In proby honorable transactions and bus
incss dealings he cquallcd by few and as shrewd
calculator regarding the changes and uncertainties in
the commercial world, and as man who well knew
how forcsce and profit in business dealings by the
state Of various markets. he could not perhaps be equal
ed by another in this city. His about 40;
he Of quick temperament, fond Of excitement,
sure his calculations, and his deductions all matters
cvinced an uncommon power OF mentally weighing the
scale OF chances make his opinion almost
rally worthy Of claiming attention. In word, he
Of those who love to have their hands full
Of affairs keep them in constant excitement.
DAY PREVIOUS 70 MS SUICIDE.
During portion Of Tuesday, he in town at bust
his capacity Of Flour Inspector both at his store
BolngLrook stIcet and in other parts of the city
He saw number OF persons on business matters DOt
seemed rather to prefer being alone, and while taking
TO others business transactions, prior object OF
greater mental interest seemed 10 be working IN his
mind He appeared less excited aud interested on
craI AFFAIRS IMAM usual anu looIe as II re nSH IoI %
mental problem 10 solve to the labor Of which he de-
sired be left alone. On that day he Mr. F. Pace
and told him that the store he had been preparing
Old street great dea! OF trouble 10 HIM lie also
wished to know if the doors and windows could not be
replaced formerly. To other persons his discourse
abrupt, he would make quick rcmaIk ard then
walk up aud down as if in deep thought.
In the afternoon he went home to his residence on the
hill side in Blandford. Some Of his children at
home, and his wife absent in the cCuntry, but e%-
pcced back daily He gave orders to his servants
relative 10 house keeping AFFAIR.", seemed look with
anxiety for the cars from City Point nr those who
him he appeared calmcT than usual, IT he had
made up his mind for some object and resolved
tInD
person called TO him. and he sent message THAI
he could attend 10 further business TINT day lie
also 4 ncighbors for Of his little daughters,
and took her in his and Rugged her with M I'M
usual degree of affection lie gave her piece Of money
dinner and would not have thing till his wife came
ACTIONS jest BEFORE CoM9uT.lSu SUICIDE.
In The evening he in his room very busy writing
letters at small writing table and remained so ein
poyed till late In the MI CHIT Tie members Of the fam
lily present retired about the usual hour, about o'clock
and soon no lights could be anywhere around
cept bed room Of the deceased Having written
number OF letters he took off his coat, vest and boots
and as If TO think whether there my other points
he had TO make note about he threw himself carcessy
upon his bed if to think sud not TO sleep or rest
Having arranged all as ne thought lor IhS tCgIiHun
rel pocket pistols, four badcd knife and razor and
descended the cellar By stair from the dining
room Here he Invested himself Of his plntaloons aud
laid them by behind box partly filled with br0R. lie
got this bran box and must have used the pen
knife partly for woundng himself, us 1t was cast ASIDE
Cloted with blood as were also the TWO pistols hcI'her
Of which had Uccm discharged. He grasPcd the razor
and wound inflicted himself circular
Of about four five inches IN the abdomen IRON
which the ntcnncs prorndcd and fell on the bran III
the box. Finding that this would not terminate his cX
isteuce speedily he applied the razor 10 his throat and
made most fearful cash nearly from car 10 car, by
which death caused almost nstantaTecns!y
DISCOVERY A4D APPEARANCES OF rnE DoDY. D
BY carly dawn yesterday morning female servant
came the cellar to get bran for the COW, and
stopping down get she the body Of her
She away terrified and sc, Gaming " ly God!
NIassa Charles is dead proceeded alarm the neigh
borhood. number of persons came and saw that the
body was cold in death aud had for few hours;
# was left in that state til jury should be summoned
At 10 O'Clock Coroner J. DAY isUu AID the jurors
amucd and recognized the body II lay in the bran box
its right side it'll limbs and arms bent up rigid IN
death. The left hand was firmly c!inchvd. while the
right hand held the razor in manner to give me holder
all covered with clothed blood and portion of the
bowels lay the body. The whole aspect showed
that the suicide had been pcrnelrhtcd with much pain
aud 4 resolution not 10 be banked.
On the body were pair of drawers stockings, shirt
and inside Shirt and Ound the waist was tied black
silk ncCkcrchCf, which upon being looSed disclosed
three sealed letters carefully directed, to l.. T.
Staiubacl, his sou, r. G.. Alrcnd, ESD, and one
to Francis Pace, Esq.
Eleven jurors with Mr.. C. r. Scott foreman were
summoncd bv Officer Peterson and no Testimony could
adduccd other than such facts already stated above
The letter TO the opened and was merely ono
giving him good advice for leading moral and honoTa-
bic life i'll the world Mr.. K. &. Arienl opened the
addressed to him. and informed the juY that was
solely of business nature and made no aliuson as 10
WHY the deceased had committed suicide.
Tie letter TO Mr.. +. Pace written as ifby thick
Quill and ia the two small notes relative to
transactions between lneEn ne lcltCr
vas read q the jury and may yet be published. 1t
was well couched in Friendly terms rcslu, sting Mr.
Pace TO see the welfare aud advising Of dcceasets
II also stated that persons might think he
(dcccascd) had lost by gambling, aud called Gcd TO
witness that such not the and that for
Der years back he had lest nothing BY cards betting
II also recommended honest upright business, aud
that-f young went into business with $ 100 caP-r
tai he should not involve himself in debt Sc, r.
that amount, and the same way ifwith 100
letter also spoke against the practice Of
sure party might be q ,ailiitsasr