Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-01-22
Distressing Scene.

Distressing SICHO'
On Saturday last, about IL O'Clock, our
citizens weie surprised and filled win re-
gret 10 learn that Mr.. Henry F. Piuner, a
respectable young man OF this place, had
committed suicide by shooting himself.
The act was committed wlh surprising
deliberation, IN private opper room, at
the house Of Randall, Evans, near tie Val
ley Bank. A friend from the country
had been in the room for some time be-
fore the fatal event, engaged in conversa-
ton with him, in lhe course Of which he
alluded TO some OF his private grie(s, and
remarked that he would as soon be out Of
the world as in it. After bis friend had
left, servant went into the room, and
Mr.. p. sent him on an errand but the
servant had scarcely reached lhe lower
floor before the report OF pistol was
heard. Persons hurried 10 the room and
found him in the agonies Of death, rcrll-
ning on sofa, with the pistol IA Colts
revolver by his side. The ball entered
the centre of the forehead, Immediately
above The nose, and lodged in the back OF
the head-produciDg, Of course, almost
instantaneous death. The only fracture
of the skull was an aperture The size Of a
bullet. A jury of inquest vas held, by
Charles w. Price, Coroner and the yer.
dict was in accordance with the facts here
stated.
A more deliberate suicide was prooa.
bly, never before committed On Friday
last he wrote several letters avowing pur.
pose to commit suicide, and delicately al
luding 10 the cause which prompted it
Some of these letters were deposited in
the Post Office, and one by private con
yeyance reached friend only few min
utes before the fatal occurrence. He hac
been on the street during the forenoon o.
Saturday, meeting and conversing as usu
al with his friends and acquaintances
some of whom discov6red his unhappy
state of mind, but supposed il temporary
and did not anticipate for moment any
serious result. For some time past be
had been engaged in the retail clothing
business, adjoining the house in which he
killed himself, IN partnership with or al
the agent Of Mr.. G. Mantelbaum. At tht
close Of the year the partnership OF agen
cy was dissolved, and the goods on hanc
handed over TO Mr.. Mantelbaum, whc
was the furnishing party. A settlement
exhibited a small balance due Mr.. NJ.
and this Indebtedness gave Mr.. p. mucI
unhappness, aud was, il is belie?ed, tht
principal cause of his death. lie wa
about % years of age,-A native Of Prus
sia-had been about five years in thi
country, and the last three years in Win
chester, having previously resided in Bal
umore. He was well educaied-weseTv
ed good moral character-was sensitive
in regatd TO anything affecting his ineg
riry or honor-and by his uniform gooC
course of conduct, made mary VAIN anl
devoted friends in this community, whC
sincerely regiei tie rash act which lermi
mated his life. From letters found in lii
trunk it appears that his parents reside a
place or town called Reetz, IN one 0
the Provinces Of Prussia, and that they
are intelligent, respectable and wealthy
and cherished lively interest for th'
welfare OF their son. The young maj
came 10 this country, We learn, with ain
pie means, and travelled much before set
iling down iAto business.
His remains were taken charge of by
Hiram Lodge, No. d, CT which lie wa
member, and on Sunday afternoon con
veyed 10 Nit. Hebron Cemetery, accom-
panied by many sympatbising friends
and inferred with Masonic honors.-UGn
chester Trgjnia.
Shocking Scene at the Funeral Of I