Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-11-06
(WhOlG No. 1881 NO. IS.
A LIFE WRECKED,

Suicide of Col n. VI. BechIev
CT. II. NJ. Beckley, who committed sui.
eide recently in Baltimore, was born and
raised in Raleigh county, now West Yir-
ginaa, where his father, Gen. Alfred Beck
ley, settled many years ago as au immigrant
from PhilAdelphlL Pa. lie was Of highly
respectable origin, and in many respects an
interesting and amiable young gentleman.
IS there one young man who will take warn.
ing'
Baltimore, Sep. 10, 1868,
"hy Dear Friend THIS is the last time
| SHAH ever address you, for even before
you receive this will be dead.
" ! will be as brief as | can in stating the
causes that have led ms to the commission
Of this act. In my early youjh any mother
dIed aud my father having much business
that called him from home, was thrown
into the company of the vicious, o. rather,
having 10 one t. restrain ms, tel into Wis
cous habits, tue most fatal Of which was
playing cards. The habit grew ON m3 SO
rapidly that almost before was aware of
lt was satisfied nos here save when en-
.gIgcd Ia gaming. La sDbrr, Tehecjiug mo
ments | know aud realized that II was ruin
tug me-, bot 50 complete was the strange
iniatuaiinn that although J resolved over
and over again 70 abstain, with eaCh recur-
ring tempt ri IA | wss sure 10 fall. Life In
the army Contributed 10 strengthen this
terrible vice. However, for some time after
the war ceased, succeeded 10 mastering
my passion, and even fanced that had 80
lar overcome desire in that direction that
would in future escape the snare, but my
strength OF mind aud purpose was not sutIi-
cieat, and ever since my life has been
cun'tant warfare with this my besetting sin.
=, a little over twelve months | sought 20
strengthen my good resolutions by couOtct-
ing myself with the church, AMI thus dryw
around me the mantle OF her pr ptectiou. !
succeeded until came 20 Baltimore. |
came here, As you are aware, nearly bank
rupt, aud the Iusidious whisperiGgs of hope
thdt might retrieve my broken fortunes
kept whispering to M, until at las uuabie
20 Withstand temptat on, | tell and vas lost.
lost what moley / had. / borrowed and
borrowed again, still thinking aud hoping
thar a streak Of good fIItule would enable
NE to succeed. But why 90 father IT'S
oEe SAM old story. Lsd Oh by a blind in
fitUttipn that had not the strength to con-
troll, l lost until honor Itself was lost. lis
hat HAT | cannot survive the lOss OF. You
can never know aud scarcely dseam Of the
agony am feeling tins moment, aud the
bitter, burning rrmurse that is lowing over
me- IA such food that my very heart
strings ara swapping one by one. SOM,
very soon, the last will be broken.
:" o., my dear friend, never, never touch
l card, not even FIR amUst ment. / com
uIruced Tor anus. ment. lost & $50 at II
faro ha K. / leave a letter 10 him Wnich /
mil .tI,,
pu,-Aslf 70 m, family, who are left dcsii
,ule. desire that lon SiIl take charge of
my remains and convey them to FincaStle,
and have them Inferred ia tho Methodist
chGrcl yard; also talss charge Of my trunk
etc. / have i suit uf clotnrs and one pair
of pants at OIem'S, ON Pratt street. Buigh
KNOWS where they are. Ky watch and cham
are at pAwnbrOSeT's on Gay street; sou
will tud ticket IN my mcmurJndum book.
Had | simply Lost tits money without de-
ccivhg any one, | would not mind it. IL
was the inst dishonest act Of my life. /
cannot survive disgrace. ! can never more
respect NY self. | have been unfortunate in
business, and sometimes could not pay wien
oulht, hut could always look man in
che face uutil nov.
"My tamhy will be left destitute, but
they are innocent and God has promised
care for the widow and orphan. L could
IA we had any hope chat some lLud frrnd
would have listened to my tale OF shame,
aud then helped nue. out OF il until could
have gone to work aud paid him. But who
would trust me after confession that had
deceived Others : Ga, what would / give
10 undo the past two weeks. AL the letters
have written leave in your charge, to be
forwarded to their destination. Inform the
house am living with OF my end. II ,ou
can spare the money (sixteen dullars) wish
you would redeem my watch and chaju,
aud give il to my little boy colbert Lee"
tut do not do 40 unless convenient.
"Your unhappy ahd ruined friend,
III. NJ. BEcKLEY."