Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-04-02
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

AhiLAphLfHIA ANNUAL COMMUNICATING
session Of the Philadelphia Annual Conference
d the NJ. Il. Church was concluded on Satur-
lay last During the session a resolution was
ADOPTED, declaring that in view of the present
financial condition Of the Conference, il is in
expedient to divide the Philadelphia Conference
by state lines at this time; but recommend all
inc quarterly conferences Of the Peninsula, dur
ING the coming year, to consider this matter, and
give such expression Of their working as may
Nd 10 determining the action Of the Conference
At us next annual session. Also, resolution
recommending the repeal of the new chapter oil
slavery recently adopted by the General Confer
ence of that Church The appointments we're
in Delaware:
Wilmington Dislrict-J. Mason, Presiding Ell !
Wilmington-Asbury, C. Hill; St. Pauls, |
4. G. Murphy; Union, j. W. Arthur; Scott, II. |
H. Bodine; E. Zion, to be supplied
Brandywihs, W. II. Fries; Mount Salem, b.
George Newport, J. Carlisle, D. Mckee; New
Castle, NJ. Montgomery; Delaware City, L. J.
Ware; st. Georges, ]. Dare; Newark, @. W.
Lybrand; ElktOn, W. Fl. Elliott; Bethel, w. ].
Paxson; North East, j. Allen; Charesown, r.
sumption Port Deposit, r. II. Pattison; Zion,
q. Quigey; Oxford, James Hand New London
and Elk Ridge, ]. France Chesapeake City, j.
Smith.
J. Wilson, President of Wesleyan Female Col
lege, at Wilmington.
q. L, neysingsr, Agent for Wesleyan Female
College at Wilmington.
EastOa Disiret-T. J. Quigley Presiding Ell
der-Smyrna Church, W. Bishop; Smyrna Cir
cult, j. d. Ayers, r. Craig MiddletoWn, 4. W.
Simpersi Odessa, J. S. Cook Dover, j. D.
Curtis; Camden, ]. L. Houston, N. D. DureI
Frederick and Barratts Chapel, ]. Dckerson
Willow Grove, W. Merrill, J. B. Elliott; Mil.
ford, W. +. England
SHog Hill Districi.-A. Wallace, Presiding
Elder-Lewis Church, A. Freed L. Irwin /;
Georgetown, 7. W. MtClsy, w. Trcheti
frankfort, W. +. Talbot, W. Formosa Laurel,
J. A. Massey. C. f. Shepherd Seaford, ]. u,
Merritt, j. IL. McLaughIini fredericksburg, Il.
Townsend
A SHOCKING CASE OF SUIcIDE-The Butler
House, q respectable lodging house in Sixth
street, below Chestnut, was the scene of shock
ing occurrence, developed on Saturday morning.
On Thursday afternoon, about five o'clock, q
young man, in genteel garb, made his appear
ance at the drug store OF Mr.. Ambrose Smith,
Chestnut and Seventh streets. He advanced
smilliDgly to Mr.. Smith, asked for pencil and
paper, and, with all the air Of an experienced
practitioner, wrote two prescriptions, appending
to them the name Of "Dr Riddle" One of the
prescriptions called for six fluid ounces of ether,
tile other for six ounces of laudanum, twenty
drops TO be taken at bed time The articles
we're duly put up. labelled as directed, the vial
containing the laudanum being emblazoned with
printed slip, containing, in large letters, the
word "poisou." The customer received the
bottles, paid for them and took his leave.
A few minutes afterwards he was at the bar
room Of the Butler House, making application
for lodging. He held his hand to his face, com
planned Of tooth-Ache, aud producing a pencil,
} wrote upon the register "James Riddle, Phila-
dephia" "You can trace over the pencil marks
with ink" he said to the person at the bar but
pen being given to him, he wrote his name In
hand that showed alike culture aud intelligence.
He paid the charge of fifty cents for the room,
and went Immediately to it. Having no meals
in the house, he was not again thought of. On
Friday morning the chambermaid Of the house
found the reom locked, and not particularly
needing it, the room remained locked until
Saturday morning. During Friday night foetid
odor was observed in the passage, an odor that
was attributed to anything but the true cause.
Next morning the odor was so noisome that its
cause was guessed at, and colored porter made
his way into the room by scaling the transom
widow. The door was locked on the inside, and
whom opened frightful spectacle met the eyes
of the terrified females Of the house. Lying
upon the bed, with knees drawn up aud hands
tightly clenched, with blood and froth covering
( the lower part Of the face, and cotted over the
pillow, lay the occupant OF the room. lie was
undressed to his shirt collar and neckerchiOf.
Beside him were the two bottles he had obtain
ed at the druggists, that containing the lauda-
mum almost empty, the bottles of ether as yet
intact Upon removing the bed covering the
5 body was found to be nearly black, violent con
r gestion having taken place. The evidences Of a
terrible death were papable in the distorted
attitude of the body, the clenched hands, and the
bloody SLAYER that covered the chin of the corpse
Q The clothes Of the deceased contained two cards
t engraved in German text "James Riddle, U. S.
A." Upon one Of them was inscribed, in pencil
O TO G Manchester, 205 south Sixth street. May
God judge you as you judge me-"
l. The coroner was notified and au inquest held
The facts as above narrated were stated by wit
nesses, when Mr.. Manchester completed the cas-,
by testimony explanatory OF the whole affair |
seems that the deceased is named James Riddle
Ile was a son of the late John s. Riddle, of thi
city, and young man of more than usual talen
and ability. MIR. Manchester was his fathfn
guardian and some time age obtained for him al
appointment OF West Point, which he aiterward
relinquished. Upon returning to the city b.
plunged into dissipation. His course was sucl
that physicians pronounced him of unsoun,
mind, and he was placed in the insane asylum
under DR.. Kirkbride. He grew better, aud wa
removed, but again relspsed, and was returne
e to the doctors care. On Thursday he escnpe,
p from his attendant, and was not found until BIZ
lie dead body was discovered as above described
IT year ago he nearly killed himself by poison a
le the Arcade, but was saved through the exerlion
d. of DR.. Darragh. He had several times attempte
suicide previous to that. He was given to od
FANTASIES at times believing himself to he il
o. the o. S. army, as shown by his card, and no
y unfrequently personating a physician. Tn
= CorOner's jury rendered verdict of suicide, au
:, the remains were taken in charge by Mr.. Ma
y calester.-Phila. Gazette
al KENT CoUsTY.-The DlawariaH, says:-As
IN sessed value of the Real and Personal Propert
rs OF Kent County, as returned by the Assessors 0
y. the different Hundreds, for the year 1861, ais
i the valuation, under the old assessment IN th
year 1858:
of 1861. 1858.
at Duck Creek. $2,030,1l4 81 1900
p Little Creek SGI cor G=k IL