The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-11-18
THE DAY BOOK.
SATURDAY MORNING, NOV. Is, 1865.
The Suicide Of the Hon. Preston King.

Mr.. King was unable to stand the pressure
of his official position. Every allegation of
misconduct in subordinates disturbed him.
The great number of meritorious and wounded
officers and soldiers asking for situations, ex-
cited his sympathies. Two or three reported
cases of fraud alarmed him to such o degree
that two weeks ago his nerves gave way. 1t
was suggested that he should go to Ogdens-
burg for week Or fortnight In the hope
that reposo and home associations would trans
quilize his mind. He did CO. but finding no
rest there, returned to the Astor House on
Saturday. 1t was Immediately evident that
no favorable change had occurred. He said
his friends around him that he had broken
down; was incapable of making any effort;
that he had no judgement Of memory, and no
power to resist what he knew to be imaginary
evils. In the meantime, his mental and physi-
cal health was unimpaired.
On Sunday, in the morning, he acquiesced
in a suggestion of attending church, but did
not 60 He requested that Mr.. Weed should
be sent for early in the morning, and passed
most of the day In conversation with him and
two or three other friends. He spoke freely
of his mental alteration twenty-five years ago,
and expressed a desire now to go to an asy-
lum. Yet all he said proved his mind was
now uncloudedan undisturbed. His nervous
SYSTEM and that only, was effected But it
was quite clear that he must soon have re-
lief
On Saturday afternoon and Sunday he fire.
quently spoke of resigning and it was ar
ranged that, after an examination by DIR.
Brown, of the Bloomingdale Asylum, on Mon
day, he would resign then, or await for few
days, the effect of medical treatment. He
had been disinclined to consult a physician
until informed that DR.. Brown was at the
head of an asylum. He remarked to Mr.
Weed twice, on Sunday, that death, if it could
be reached without crime, would be relief.
He had intervals of tranquility when his
mind could bs drawn away from the evils il
created, to the facts that In all respects his
circumstances AMI condition were such as brine
contentment; that he had no cares. no sor.
rows, no causes Of anxiety, aud that his lot
compared with hundreds of thousands, wa,
inevitable. To all he assented, and for hal
an hour cheerfulness returned to him. Finally
when Mr., Weed left him on Sunday evening
he seemed quite content to await the interview
with Dr. Brown, who came on Monday, but
the patient had departed to return no more,
"REMINISCENCES OF THE LATE COLLECTOR
Mr.. King entered the Hartford Lunatlc
Asylum after the Canadian troubles. about the
year 1887 or 1888, and it seems that his mind
has been more or less deranged nearly all the
time since, especially under any excitement
or when having a great deal of responsibility
resting upon him, as was the cause of his POI
sition as Collector; for, if the statement of his
inmate friends be true, he has often since his
appointment complained of annoyance and
vexation he has had to put up with by having
SO many people come to him seeking positions
which he was unable to give 1t is further
said that these office seekers have not been
content with applying themselves, but when
their efforts proved unavailing, have sent
their wives to of6caate in their behalf as ap-
plicants.