Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-20
SUICIDE.
An Old Man, Weary Of Idfe, browns
bHImseIf-The End Of Gallant Ten
utnaanon

an OAu MAR weary 0t Aatts ANONtas
hImseIf-The End Of Gallant Ten
acsseRn.
From the Hickman (Ky-) Courier. June IS.
We have TO record the lamentable fact
that on Monday night last, Major r. B.
Alexander, one Of the Oldest and most
worthy citizens Of this county, committed
suicide by drowning himself in the Missis
sippi river. This was the third time
during the pasi year that Major Alexander
had sought 20 destroy his life in this way.
The first time was al the wharf-boat at this
place, when he was recovered by friends,
and no one thunz suspicioned but that he
had fallen into the river by accident. Some
months after this, he again made the at
tempt--at which time he had tied iron
weights TO each wrist, 10 insure the accom-
plishment OF his purpose-when he was
sgain rescued by friends. He then made
statement 10 this effect: that the fret time
be fell into the river was by acei-
dent but that he experienced enough al
that time TO satify himself that drown
ing was the easiest mode Of death that
he was old and weary of'life; of no bene-
lit 10 himself or family; that he was suf-
fering severely from wounds which he
received in the Mexican war, and lhat
the older he grew the worse his wounds
became and that it was 10 rid himself Of
these affections, and to free the world of
his useless and helpless old age that he had
sought 10 destroy his life. Since that time,
which was some months ago, his family
and friends had all become sasifed that he
was entirely dissuaded from the idea 10
the meantime he had been to town several
times, transacted business, and returned TO
his home in safety. On Monday last, he
was ia town during all the day, oOnversing
with various gentlemen, but nothing wrong
in his manner was observable, further than
he spoke very hopelessly Of the country
and the times. He was seen upon ihe
streets about dark, and was understood to
be preparing 10 20 home. At night he
committed the fatal act AT ten o'clock
his friends became uneasy and commenced
8 search for him, when his coat, hat and
spectaoles were found in skifi, just be-
hind Robinson & Keish's old warehouse.
On Tuesday norning parties commenced
fishing with hooks Cor his body, and il was
found about one hundred yards below the
skiff He bad q cord ten or fifteen feet long
tied round his neck, and to the end Of the
cord long iron bolt weighing five or six
pounds.
The deceased was about sixty-eight years
old was strictly temperate; hospilable
and worthy citizeri, and was highly re-
spected By all. He was born and raised
ia SPINNER county, Tennessee, and emf
grated to Kentucky in 1851. He was a
soldier in the Florida war, and also during
the Mexican campaign. la the latter war
be was 3 Major in the lst Tennessee In
fantry, known in history as the "Bloody
First" OF which Gov. William B. Camp
bell was the Colonel. in this war he re
ceived a severe wound, from the effects OF
which he never entirely recovered, and the
long continued suffering from il vas no
doubt the immediate cause Of his rash act.
In 1854 s, We think IL vas, Major Alexan-
der represented thin and Hickman county
in our State Legislature, standing high 10
that body, and reaectiag much credit upon
himself and his constituents. During our
civil war be was too old and feeble TO take
any part 10 the conflict but was devoted
friend Of the Lost Cause" and, as con-
seqOenoe, had most Of HE property de
' stroyed and taken from him. During the