Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-04-17
A Convict Killing himself by Inches.

The Mt. Sterling QlI.} Gazette says,
lhe town was thrown into CONSERVATION
on Tuesday by the report that Downle,
who was in jail charged with burglary,
was literally killing himself by inches.
Immediately a crowd collected at the
IialI, and soon had evidence that the report
was we'll founded. They found Downle
without his coat, his arms aud legs bare,
engaged IN hacking these limbs with ra.
zor, aud as matter Of course, the blood
was flowing protu,eIy from those wounds.
He expressed his determination 10 end his
life in that slow and torturlng manner and
he declared that he would kill any one
who undertook to prevent him from car
rylng out his determination. Beside his
razor, he had in his possession an iron
stove.leg, fourteen inches in length.
With this formidable Weapon he was
ready TO knock any mans brains out who
should enter his cell, and being an active
and determined person, would no doubt
have made vigorous attempt 10 carry out
his threat.
During the whole day he conversed
with his acquanlauces, whom he could
see from the cell window, and The open
lngs in the door, lie said he had made
up his mind 10 commit suicide, and no
power on earth could prevent him. Rum
drinking had brought him 10 his present
condition, and lie bad no wish TO live Ion
ger, burden TO himself and a disgrace TO
his friends.
He took this method Of destroying his
life in order that his death might be last
ingIy impressed upon his associates, and
that his melancholy end might prove
warning sufficient to keep them from the
vice by which he was ruined; for their
good he thus "oiiered himself as living
sacrifice" At sundown he shOuId cut
his throat, and then sci fire TO his cell, no.
ping 10 be consumed to ashes in the
flames. This, with suDdry threats against
and the confession OF the
crime with which he was charged, which
he declared he had committed while
drunk, was the burden Of hls remarks.
The cutting was accompanied with the
singing of hymns.
But the sacrifice" was not destined 10
be as complete as he contemplated. Va
rious methods were suggested of securing
him, but none OF them were eflectual.
Finally, while near the window quantity
of cayenne pepper was thrown inie his
eyes, and thus blinded and thrown of his
guard, he was secured.
lie handed a letter TO the sheriff, ad.
dressed to his brother, at Cleveland, U.
He asks pardon Of his brother for the DIS
grace lie has brought upon him, and de-
sires his body 10 be carried 10 Cleveland
and buried by the side Of his sister.
On being taken 10 the Doctors room
his wounds were found TO be severe, but
not dangerous. His left arm was gasbed
in many places, but bis legs were only
sliqhly cut. His limbs are now extreme
Iv stiff and sore. and he is weak from loss
Of blood. But he is in no danger from
lis wounds. He sliII declares that he
will kill himself whenever opportunity OIL
fers, and has commenced starving himself.
This is a strange sfair. The reason Of
Down,e's conduct is yet inexPlicsble;
whether Drunkenness, actual or assumed
insanity led him mo these proceedings,
remains 10 he explained. There seemed
too much "meihod ~ lis maduess" Tor a I
maniac. ard lis roUm-msla, DR.. Beeves. I
says that he has had no liquor OF any &C
count, 10 bis know ledge.
Dow ME had Threatened to take Beeves