Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-07-12
FIVIH 1IIo otoIsV1's x - , 11o -
Suicide of T. c. Stainback.

Su1C1Qe Oh Z v. 6LdlnDdCK.
OF the many sad occurrences which fall
undtr the journalists notice, perhaps the ar
ticle we are called upon to publish to-day is
one of the most grievous, when we look upon
the cause as the self-destruction of man in
the prime Of life, in health and vigor of body,
and seemingly ordinary power of mind
When we contemplate the act of determined
suicide Of such a man, by which he leaves in
deep distress family of six children, young,
beautiful and good, and an affectionate wife,
and leaves to queer world license to com
ment upon its self-destroying act in every
form the worlds mind will strangely i'm
agine. When we consider all these things, we
repeat that we and the community generally
of this city, were panied and grieved to hear
yesterday, is the fist news of the day,
the awful suicide of Francis Charles Stain
back.
Perhaps no man in this city was better
known than the above. In probity, honora-
BILE transactions, and business dealings he was
equaled by few, and as a shrewd calculator
regarding the changes and uncertainties in
the commercial world, and as a man who
well knew how to foresee and profit in busi-
ness dealings by the state of various markets.
he could not perhaps be equaled by another
man in this city His age was about 40; he
was of quick temperament, fond of excite
ment sure in his calculations, and his deduc-
tons, on all matters evinced an uncommon
power Of mentally weighing the scale of
chances in as to make his opinion almost gen.
orally one worthy of claiming attention. In
a word, he was one of those men who love
TO have their hands full of affairs so as to
keep them In constant excitement.
THE DAY PREVIOUS TO HIS SUICIDE.
During a portion of Tuesday, he was in
town at business in his capacity of Flour In
spector, both at his store on Bollingbrook ST.,
and in other parts of the city. He saw a
number of persons on business matters, but
seemed rather to prefer being alone, and
while talking to Others on business transac-
tons, prior object of greater mental interest
seemed to be working in his mind He ap-
peared less excited and interested on general
affairs than usual, and looked as if he had
some hard mental problem to solve to the
labor of which he desired to be left alone.
On that day he saw Mr.. F. Pace, and told
him that the store he had been preparing on
Old street was a great deal of trouble to him.
He also wished to know if the doors and
windows could not be replaced as formerly
To other persons his discourse was abrupt;
he would make quick remark and then
walk up and 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 we've at home. and his
wife was absent in the country, but expected
back daily. He gave orders to his servants
relative TO house keeping affairs, seemed TO
look with anxiety for the ears from CITY
Point, and to those who saw him, he appeared
ealmer than usual, as if he had made mn his
mind for some object and resolved not TO al
low anything to turn his main attention avav
from it, A person called to see him. and he
sent a message that he could attend to no
further business that day. He also sent to
a neighbOrs for one of his little daughters
and took her in his arms and Rugged her
with an unusal degree of affection. He gave
her piecc of money to amuse her. He told
the servant he did not need any dinner. and
would not have anything till his wife came.
ACTIONS JUST BEFORE COMMITTING SUICIDE.
In the evening he was in his room very
t,.sy writing letters at small writing table
and remained so employed till late in the
night. The members of the family present
retired about the usual hour, about 10 O'Clock.
and soon no lights could be seen anywhere
around except in the bed room of the de-
ceased Having written a number of letters
ne took OH his coat, vest and boots, and as if
to think whether there were any other points
he had to make note about, he threw himself
earelessly upon his bed as if to think and not
to sleep or rest
Having arranged all as he thought for the
regulation of matters after his death. he took |
two small single barrel pocket pistols. four
biaded knife and razor and descended into
the cellar by a stair case from the DINING room
Here he Invested himself of his pantaIoons
and laid them by behind box partly filed
with bran. He next got into this bran how
and must have used the penEnife partly
Tor woundlng HIMSELF as it was cast aside
clotted with blood, as were also the two
pistols, neither of which had been discharged.
He grasped the razor and the first wound in
hicted upon himself was a circular cut of
about four or Eve inches in the abdomen from
which the intestines protruded and fell on the
bran in the box. Finding that this would not
terminate his existence speedily, he applied
,he razor to bis throat and made most fear ..
lul cash nearly from ear to ear by which
aeatn was caused almost instantaneonslv {
DISCOVERY AND APPEARANCE OF THE Rony
oy early dawn yesterday morning a female 6
servant came to the cellar to get some bran 4
or the COW, and STOPPING down to oct sooaI !
me saw the body of her master. She ron !,
'"sy TERMED and screaming "My God, Mas Z
a Onarles Is dead" proceeded to alarm tha !.
ielgnoornood. A number Of persons came !
ND saw that the body was cold in death and :