Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-11-16

DISTRESSING TRAGEDY.
The Suicide of Hon. Preston X in.


New York. Nov. 15.-It has been aScer
tanned that Mr. King purchased twenty
pound bag of shot, which he is supposed tt
have placed in his clothing before iumpin!
overheard.
The N. Y. Times of yesterday gives the following
account Of the death of Hon. Preston King, men
toned in our dispatches yesterday:
Hon. Preston King, Collector of the Port of New
York, whose nervous system has been seriously de
ranged for nearly three weeks, left his room at thu
Astor House on Monday morning at o'clock, re
marking that walk before breakfast would do hin
good All day Monday no word Of his whereabout
reached his anxious friends nor until Il o'clock yes
terday could any trace or clue be obtained. Messrs
Terwiiger and Usher, of the Custom House. ther
heard that person drowned the day before iron
a IIOboken ferry boat. Upon visiting the boat they
ascertained that man, answering closely the deScrp
ton of Mr. Hing came from West street car to tht
ferry boat.
Soon after the boat left the dock two children goinl
to school gave the alarm; they had seen man jumr
overheard The boat was stopped, but nothing coult
be seen. A hat left upon the deck was subsequently
identified as belonging to Mr. King. The ticket
master saw Mr. King step from the car, noticing hin
and dress with such exact accuracy to leave
neither doubt nor shadow of doubt as to his identity
Mr.. King spoke to him, asked him how long befor,
the boat would start and what was the fare and re-
marked that it was fine morning:
Mr.. King was unable to stand the pressure Of his
official position: Every allegation of misconduct il
mertorious and wounded officers and soldiers asking
for situations excited his sympathes Two or three
reported cases of fraud alarmed him to such degree
that two weeks ago his nerves gave way.
1t was suggested that he should go to 0gdensburgh
for week or fortnight in the hope that repose and
home associations would tranquize his mind He
did co. but finding rest there. returned to the As
tor House on Saturday. 1t was Immediately evident
that no favorable change had occurred. He said to
the friends around him that he had broken down; was
incapable of making any effort: that he had udg-
ment or memory, and no power to resist what he
knew to be imaginary evils. In the meantime, hi:
mental and physical health was unmpaired. On
Sunday, in the morning, he acquieSced IN a suggcS-
ton of ofatending church. but did not go. Herequested
that Mr.. Weed should be sent for early in the morn
ing, and passed most of the day i'll conversation with
him and two or three other friends lie spoke freely
Of his mental liberation twenty-five years ago, and
expressed desire now to go to an asylum.
Yet all he said proved that his mind was now un-
clouded and undiSturbed His nervous system, and
that only, affected. But it quite clear that
he must soon have relief. Gn Saturday afternoon
and Sunday he FREQ guenty spGke of rcSgning; and il
was arranged that. after an examination by Dr.
Brown, of the Boomingdale Asylum on Monday, he
the effect Of medical treatment lie had been disin.
clined to consult physician until informed that Dr.
Brown was at the head of an asylum: lie remarked
to Mr. Weed twice, on Sunday that death, if it could
be reached without crime would be a relief.
He had intervals Of tranquility when his mind
coud be drawn away from the evils it created TO the
fact that in all respects his circumstances and condi
ton were such Us bring onntontment that he had no
cares. sorrows causes of anxiety. and that his
lot, compared WIN was
able To all he aSSened, and for half an hour cheer
fulness returned to him. Finally, when Mr.. Weed
left him on Sunday evening. he seemed quite 0on-
tented to await the interview with Mr.. Brown
who came on Monday but the patient had departed
to return no more.
Preston King was born at Ogdcnsburg, in
St. Lawrence county. New York, on the l4th OF
October, 1906 and entered Union College,
where he distinguished himself by his studious
habits and patriotic industry. He was gradu-
ated with honor, and studied law, and at the
bar was distinguished for sound judgment and
careful study. Silas Wright early distinguish
ed him by his friendship.
In 1884 he was chosen to the Assembly from
St. Lawrence county, and reelected three
successive terms. 1t was one of his hanpiest
privileges to record his vote In 1881 for his
honored friend Mr.. Wright for United States
Senator. In 1888, his health being impaired
he retired for a season from official life.
In 1912 he was elected to Congress, and
served by reelection till 1853. At the division
of the Democratic party in lS4S Mr.. King cast
his fortunes with the Barnburners, taking part
in the convention which nominated Van Buren,
and Dodge at Utica, and afterward in the
Buffalo Freesoil Convention. He was also one
of the famous eight whose steady refusal to
vote for Wing Speaker defeated Robert c.
Winthrop for that position.
In 1883 Mr.. King was a member Of the
Democratic State Convention, and belonged
to the Committee On Platforms; but repu-
dated the trucking of the Convention to
slavery. The next year he was member of
the Anti-Nebraska Convention at Saratoga,
and afterward withdrew from the Democratic
State Convention at Syracuse when it adopted
the Nebraska policy.
He always atterward voted with the Repub-
lican party. was its candidate for Secretary of
State in 1865, and was elected to the Senete
of the United States in 1857. There he served
until 1868, since which time he has been in
private life, until his recent appointment to
the Collectorship of the port of New York.