Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-07-03

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SUICIDE or C. ". BIul~G The failure of
the firm Of Belding Keith q Co.. bankers of
London, end the disappearance of Mr.. Bedding
were reported some time since r. now ar-
pears tlat on the 10th instant. Mr Beldinc
arrived iu this country from England. via
Havana No sooner had be arired than be-
was arrested ona civil process. on complaint
of Mcs-rs p. \. Ames & Co. and Henry
Thornton Of Boston. and required to give hail
in the sum Of $4,000 for his appearance
In default Of bail Mr. Bedingwas committed to
the county jail for safe keeping He appear
ed very much depressed in sUirits and felt
much grievcd and Inundated in Consequence
of his imprisonment. he stated tha be bad
been financially ruined while In En-' ul by
the duplicity of bis partner, and he was ar
rested and imprisoned on a demand which he
found hipself entirely unable to hquidate
In a conversation soon after he was received
at the Jail he stated that while en- route from
Havana To New York BE seriously coutem-
plated committing suicide by jumping over
board. The Warden dissuadcd him from any
such attempt, and nothing further was
thought OF the matter until about O'Clock
Sunday morning when the night watclman
in the prison discovered Mr. Beding lying on
the floor Of the bathroom with his throat
cut. quite dead. Apparently he rose from his
bed, and. with only his night-shirr upon him
proceeded TO the bath or wash-r,lm, and
standing directly in front Of the looking glass
gave himself a fatal cut with razor waich
put an end TO bis earthly existence. falling
Immediately TO the floor. as the basin beneath
the glass was covered completely with blood.
and deceased when lirst discovered was living
upon his back with, his leet at the base Of the
wash basin and his head towards the door.
He left behind him no papers or writings
showing an intent. but in his room was found
a pocket Bible which he had evidently been
reading prior to retiring for the night, upon
one of the blank leaves of which was written
in the small delicate hand Of q lady, this in
scription:-''Bead this tlatye may know how
to live, and. having learned. that We may
know how to DIE The coroner Jury found
that the deceased came to his death by cnttins
his throat while laboring under temporary
alteration of mind. Mr. Beldmg was a fine
looking man, 80 years Of age, and a native Of
johnson in this state His widow who was
lately confined is soon expected to arrive from
England and it is said the intention Of the
deceased was to engage in business in New
York.
The troubles of Mr Belding, the London
banker who lately committed suicide in New
York, seem to have thoroughly unbalanced
his mind. so that he could hardly be held re-
sponsible for his actions. The following sad
and in parts almost incoherent letter, was
written to his brother D. S. Belding, Of
Keene, \. H., few days before his death =
No. 20 LUDLOW STREET, NEw York.
Ny DEAR BBoTHER-I learn from Mr..
Churchill that you have written him as to my
affairs am truly glad that you are in q posi-
ton to ask-I would to God had been il a DO
sition T. keep them in trim, when l was in my
right mind, or that they had been 50 could
but they were not. and then there commenced
course Of dealing, which was owing TO Mr..
Keith's failures, and has ended in my ruin.
Now the creditors cry for blood, and | expect
nothing but damnation. Mr.. keth's friends,
who never did anything for him, are now loud
mouthed in his p'aise. and my execration. God
alone knows what awaits me, but I see nothing
as the present GROWING stone to all my efforts to
do and effect good, but for time perhaps even
the felon's cell. am resigned, because have
ne for Tor at least well as knew how, for)
the best, left there last year because nearly