Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-12-05

SELF-DEsTRUCTION.-Wben disease
| comes. in whatever form, with unusual
violence, II r. denominated gan epidemic,
and why should not self-destruction be
so classided2 That it is infectious has
long since been demonstrated. The story
is extRnt that q boy who had just wit
messed 8 public execution, went home
and hanged himself in his fathers stable
with a halter. During the past twelve
month there have been almost daily an
l nOuHcemsnts Of men and women OF all
/ classes, Of every grade Of society, from
the lowest to the highest, immofating
! themselves on the plea of being tired
! Of this life,U and
"UnwiIIing TO bear the ills We have,
Ply 10 others that we dream not oL"f
It is not our purpose to moralizs now
on the outlines Of self-destruction, or
investigate the subtle reasoning which
bends the morbid, if not misanthropic
feeling that shut out all the glorious in
~iuences which must sometimes sway the
heart, If o the brain, Of those who
might be lights in their "dsy and gen
GRAFTON, which dull the teachings of
the responsibility every one owes, if
not to fellOW-beiugs here on earth, at
least to the Ai-Giver. 1t is enough to
d AAlANM Lha EE4A-eGlAA ~ L&6 DEEh
rampant through the land, and many
loved and bright beings have sought the
dark and shadOwy realm, through their
own instrumentallty. Here is q case in
point. We leave the recountal 10 tell It's
own tale, without the interposition Of
any philosophical reflections. We copy
the following from the Alexandria Dem
Ocr1t, of the Goth ultimo:
We are panied 10 record the death by
suicide Of Winder Crouch, q Of the.
oldest, best, and purest Of Rspides'
citizens. The deceased was born in
MARYLAND, and came 10 Rapides in 1924,
and from hat time up TO his death was a
planter on Bayou BoaL He has always
been esteemed as a good neighbor, kind
friend charitable and liberal in ali his
dealings, be viii long be remembered
sud revered by his old friends and neigh
bOrs. The cause OF mis- sad and romantic
suicide will forever remain sbrOuded in
mystery. No one can account for it, and
ell ion In the expression that he was the
IaAt mau in Rspides who ever was ex-
pectsd to commit such 8 deed. A few
days previous to his death be made the
attempt 10 take his life in swallowing
ten grains Of morphine, but it was dis
covered by the inmates of his household
III LAl4E " BlEHEAN 0G1AAs AAE ENEAAuk
previous to committing the fatal deed
he resd the letter Of Judge BUckner,
who, it viii be remembered, committed
suicide a few weeks since in Kentucky,
and seemed much rej0iced at its contents,
and spoke feelingiy and in commendation
Of tin fact, Endorsed its sentiments.
The next morning, at seven O'Clock,
which was on Friday, the 8th in
slant, q pistol was heard in his
bedchamber; his nephew and niece
rushed in the room and there found be
had been successful this time in taking
his life. He had fixed himself a pallet
on the floor, was dressed ia his best suit,
Clearly shaved, was lying exposed az in
death, with his hands crossed and a white
handkerchief over his face. He had
shot himself in the right temple, through
the handkerchief with an ordinary Der
iuger. He was not dead-did not speak
or show any signs OF recognition-but
fingered about three hours, when be ex-
pired.
The following note in his Own baGd-
writing was found under the pillow Of
mis- bed:
OCroBER I8. 1851.