Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-06-16
SUICIDE AT IhE MARINE BARRACKS.

4 Veteran Sergeant sheets Himseif-Les.
ters 10 his comma ndan mt and Family.
This morning about O'Clock, Mr. VIM. A.
Wnker, Quartermaster SergeantUnited States
Marine corps, committed suicide In front Of the
omcers' quarters of the barracks, sth street
east, between q and I streets south, by shoot
ing himself through the head with q heavy
savage revolver, large sized Two Of the
wa Ma,S aa,s al .ns navy fsrdHMessr.. OVERLY
body lying on the porch, his feet resting on the
door mat, and his head towards the south. and
the pistol with which the deed was done lying
near nv nsnf hand, with but one load dis
His body was taken into the barracks. and IL
was found that the pistol must have been
mouth, and the ball passed through an d ont
the top Of his head, carrying some OF the brains
tnrougn the crown. Subsequently the ball was
found to have lodged in the top Of the portico,
and some OF the blood and brains had been
spatfered there aleo. The deceased left the bar
racks on Friday last for Baltimore on business.
ana mao not been seen since until he was found
his clothes and boots appeared TO be very dus tv.
as II he had been on q tramp for some time.
Inis morning, Justice James Lynch, of the
eigntn precinct, acting as Coroner, summoned
testimony was taken:
Ed G. Thatcher, Surgeon.-witness exam.
med the wound, and found that he put the
pistol In his mouth, and the ball passed through
tne palate and out the top Of his head.
". H. Orerby sworn-Witness i, a Waterman
al the navy Yard; discovered the deceased
some one drunk; saw that he was dead Wit
ness sounded call, ana Mr.. Batham went TO
the station. Onicers Fields and Nokes came,
hand grasped a piece Of the stock Of the pistol
witness heard something like a report as he
Same up. A portion Of his skull witness
found near.
John Batham testified that he was with Mr.
OVERLY, and corroborated his testimony
Sergednt Major Dunn, sworn.-Witness knew
mat Wllker had been away since FRIDAY and
asked Mrs. w. if he had been home, and re-.
ceived the reply that he had not. Witness
thought from his position that he was facing
q man of temperate habits.
Lieut.. 1lstead testified that he found in the
Pockets OF the deceased small amount of
money, two letters, box OF cartridges, &c
The first letter is addressed to General Jacob
lows: 0
General'-One Of the most unfortunate men.
behalf Of his wife and children Made reck
less by the designs of that unfortunate oil com
pany spectators, find myself now involved
beyond redemption; and unable to stand the
sneers OF those who helped me on in my rum
and too old to go to work or commence some.
thlng new TO support large family, rather
would leave this unhappy world. o. do not
Jake the ration away from my wife, and should
II be possible enlist my boys. Please, General,
do SO. 1t is who has sinned, not theyNand
how have suffered. Under meek outside
fear MI. - has heart of flint; if other wise.
he ought TO make an effort 10 secure for INV
family at least a portion Of the I5OO dollars
which only invested through his representa-
toms; Would you please, General, to show
him this note. 1t is the last request of one now
numbered with the dead. WIN. A. WILKER'
The other letter is addressed 10 his wife's sis.
ter "Miss Indiana Shanahan, care OF Mrs.
Mary A. Wilker, AIS G street, Washington. N
G., and on the inside envelope was written
the following: "Read the inside letter yourself
better go away from home to do it," The let,
ter reads:
Dear Puss.-When this comes TO vour hand
Will be no more in this world. have been
OF late unfortunate in every thing besides he.
ing prosecuted by that detestable Major =,
who has taken the bread from the mouths of
my family. am too old fer hard work or TO
commence something new, and il is
impossible fer me TO stand the sneers of those
who have worked my ruin. Break the sad
news to Mary gently and may the Lord pro.
teet her in her hour Of sorrow. o nv dear
children, 10 part from them is hard indeed.
Mary will be entirely helpless; assist her in
commencing new LIE. l have written to
have of course sell all you can spare and take
a smaller house. can not say or write any
more but to say that the Lord may protect you.
Your unfortunate friend,
WILLIAM A. WuKER.
1T is but Just to the officer alluded to. To
state that neither he any other officer of the
corps can stop the pay and emoluments Of any
enlisted man unless he is so directed by court
martial, and it would appear that the deceased
IN making this statement, was Iaboring under
wrong impression. Some months since Soma
niue dlmculty occurred in regard to his init
mate relations with the contractor, acting as
his agent, and doubtless it was because of the
action then taken by the officer he made this
statement about being prosecuted
there was also among his effects q receipt |
OF the Harnden Express Company, dated Nor.
folk, June 18th, for one package valued at 3 on.
addressed to his wife which is likely was
given for his watch, which his wife recaiya
y Yesterday, and this would show that he must
have left Baltimore last Friday evening |
The jury rendered verdict that the deceased
came to his death by his own hands, by shoot
ing himself through the head, while iaboripg
under a temporary depression Of spirits, |
caused by an unfortunate speculation.
The deceased had been a sergeant in the Ma
he rebellion he held similar position TO the
one ne has held here at the Norfolk NAVY |
ard. but being loyal man, when MANY OF the
marines there stationed united with the rebels,
ne made ms way to this city, bringing nothing
but his clothes, and sent for his family subse. |
luently. He resided ON Z street, between 9th /
and 9TH streets, and leaves a wife and two |
children-brght twin boys, 1T 10 years of age.
He was about 81 years Of age. a native of Penn |
sylvania, and member Of Syracusan Lodge
No. ~, knights Of Pythias; Naval Lodge, No |
!, OF Masons, and of the Schuetsen Verein, and /
among the many with whom be associated be |
was generally esteemed.
RECIPE POR DIARRHGA.-Thisi is the season |
y hen the above distressing and often fatal COM
olaint is widely prevalent, and we publish a
'eclpe, " Inch is said by those who have tried il
o be certain and sure specific Put in
arge pitcher two table-spoonsful Of CO..
If soda and four of loaf sugar. ..obite |
pint Of hot water VH- pour on these
dissolved add bs len they are perfectly
puf W pint Of cold water then
-. a tablespoonful Of pulverized Turkey
RI ubard or two ounces Of the tincture, a
small teaspoonful of laudanum, eight drops of
the oil of peppermint, enough Of the tincture
to give il respectable taste, and, lastly, half
pint of good French brandy. Bottle up C are
fully, and administer to the patient in dose.
equal 10 half wine glassfull three times
day. or as often as the bowels are moved. In
extreme cases, accompanied by gripping pains,
double the portion OF brandy and laudanum,
and use freely. Give il a fair trial; no family
should be without it,
A SHOP LITTER ARRRsTED.-About I o clock
afternoon, Detectives Clarvoe and
Bgley noticed a colored man 60 along 9TH street
with something under his coat; he met his ac-
named Henry Wheeler, and gave TO
him PAIR Of pants, which he took from under
his coat, he then went up eth street to the dry
goods store Of Mr.. johnson, where he Gifted"
a bolt OF calico and put IL under his coat. The
Detectives arrested him al the corner OF ID ana
7th streets, and he was taken before Justice
Smith, who sent him to Jail. He is notorious