The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-01-22
TIL E DISPATCH.
The Suicide OF Ex-President Jones,
of Texas.

We copy from the Houston Telegraph of the
9TH inst the following particulars of the death OF
ex-President Anson Jones, Of Texas, who persisted
by his own hand, in that city:
The community of Houston was very greatly
shocked this morning by the report, which ran
through the streets, that ex President Anson Jones
had killed himself at the Old CapitoI Hotel last
night He was found lying across his bed this
morning, at halfpast o'clock, with discharged
pistol IN his hand, and his brains blown ont. we
give all the particulars Of this lamentable affair
We have been able to obtain
something more than a week ago. DR. Jonea
came down from his home in Washington eounty
with view of finding residence in Houston or
galveston, to which to remove his family. He
desired, he said, TO spend the remainder of his
days IN more social life than was possible on bis
farm, and also to give his children the opnortuni
ties of good education. He remained here day.
and went down to Galveston, where be spent day
or two, returning here last Tuesday morning
when he took rooms at the Old Capitol He had
apparently been drinking perhaps more freely
than was his wont-he was observed to be in low
spirits.
friend of his Mr.. W. d. Smith, observing this.
made 1t IN his way to be with him as much as pos
sible while he Nigh remain in the city,
The evening after his arrival, in conversation
with Mr. Smith, he made this remark: 81 have
been having some very serious thoughts to-day
Ny public career, you are aware, began in this
house, and have been thinking that perhans il
might close here' (This hotel building was, while
Houston was the seat OF Government Of the repub-
lie, built and occupied as the capItol.) Mr. Smith
turned the conversation with some light remark
Subsequently, during the last two days he talked
as MIR. ). was with him, good deal of bis past
life, expressing satisfaction with his public ca
reer, and observing there was nothing in it he
would desire to change.
Yesterday he appeared to he almost entirely re-
covered from his depression and went out calling
during the morning, upon several of his friends in
the city. He spoke of leaving for home on this
morning train, and appeared cheerful rs usua'.
At night Mr.. Smith spent an hour or so with him
before bed time. During the time he was there
Drones again alluded 10 the fact, that he had be-
gun his public career i'll that house, and he might
yet close it there. The remark received as be-
fore, and little thought of it.
When he retired negro, one of the servants of
the house. was at his request sent to his room to
stay with him. The negro says that at about II
or o'clock, DR.. Jones walked him up and gave him
some directions about the room. At about 3
O'Clock he awoke him again, and sent him for
glass OF spirits The negro was unable to get any.
lie then told him to leave the room, as ne didn t
want him any more. This was the last that was
known of him last night
At about the hour above mentioned, Mr. Smith
went to call upon him. and finding the door locked
and getting no response, he had the door broken
open, where DR.. Jones found as above describ-
ed. No one had heard the report of the pistol in
the night, though persons were sleeping i'll rooms
near by. 1t Is supposed that, brooding over some
troubles, in moment of depression he lost control
Of himself and committed the fatal act.
Thus has fallen another great man of Texas by
his own hand We well remember a conversation
with Dr. Jones after the death of the lament
ed Rusk, upon that sad event How little then did
we imagine that the next of the men whom the
Republic of Texas had delighted to honor that
would go, would be DIR. Jones, and that too add
ing his name to the list Of suicides. Colinsworth
Blrdsall Grayson and Rusk lad gone that way,
and Joues has now followed them. Peace to his
ashes