The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-12-15
SUICIDE OF MAJOR J. M. WALTERS.

SUlClUE OF MAJUk j. NJ. NALIEito.
Early yesterday morning all Norfolk was
stirred and shocked by rumors that Major
J oseph NJ. Walters, the proprietor of the Ma
tional Hotel, had been detected the day be-
fore in forgcries to very considerable extent,
and that he had gone into the country. as
was supposed, for the purpose of committing
suicide.
Major W. left his hotel in his buggy, be-
tween and 4 O clock on Thursday afternoon.
giving out that he was going to his farm,
about G miles from the city, and subsequently
events transpired during the day involving him
in heavy forgeries.
Rumors of these facts having leaked out
on Thursday night, legal steps were immcdi-
ately taken by some Of Mr.. VS. creditors,
and the property at the hotel was levied on.
Early yesterday morning Mr.. Robert Cooper,
the barkeeper Of the hotel went out to Maj.
Walters farm. to give him information Of
this and not finding him there proceeded to
Mr.. Van Wick's farm. some two or three
miles further, where he found him and gave
him the information. Major Walters wrote
four letters, which he entrusted to Mr.. Coop
er for delivery One Of these letters was TO
his wife one to Ce!. L. ]. Corprew one to
G. w. Grandy, Jr, and Quo to W, Hunter
Saunders.
Mr.. Cooper knew nothing Of the contents
of these letters and had no suspicion that Maj.
Walters contemplated suicide, as he was per-
fectly calm and collected in his intercourse
with him. Mr.. Cooper returned at about 10
o'clock a. m, and delivered the letters which
conveyed the intelligence Of Major Walters
intention to destroy himself. Parties were
Immediately sent out to find him. and, if pos
siblc.. prevent the accomplishment Of the des-
perate intent; but they were unfortunately
| too late.
About an hour after Mr.. Cooper had reach
ed the city Mr. Van Wick arrived with the
sad intelligence that Major Walters had al
ready killed himself.
Mr.. Van Wick furnished our reporter with
the following account.
Major Walters came to my house on Thurs
day night and remained there during the
night He came into my room this morning
while [ was shaving, and laughed and chat
ted in apparently excellent spirits. During
the course OF our conversation he picked up
nv carbine and asked how it was fired.
took it out of his hands and showed him how
to load it, when he took the ball out, exam
ined it, and asked me if had any more am
munition. I told him yes, and gave him sew
eral loads. thinking he wanted TO shoot some
ducks. as he had told me he came out to buy
ducks for the house. [ shaved, went down
stairs, and as break fast was announced, sent
a negro to call Major Walters in, he having
walked out on the peninsula with the gun to
shoot ducks, as supposed. Before sending
the boy out, the plantation bell was rung, and
horn blown to attract Major Walters at
teption He not answering, sent the boy
out after him. The boy went and returned
shortly afterwards, giving me the sad intell-
gence that Major Walters was dead. My
first impression was that he had been acci-
dentally shot, but ascertained the terrible
truth when one of my men brought me a
note found near the body.
The note was written on small scrap of
paper, and was as follows:
Dear Vaa-I killed myself, being afraid
to face my wife and family. Inform my wife.
Joe.
Major Walters had always enjoyed an cx-
cellent reputation as high minded and hon
orable man. He was sober, industrious and
attentive to his business, and was exceedingly
popular as hotel keeper, in which avocation
he was very successful Some two years ago
he became very much involved by unfortunate
speculations in cotton, in which he lost heav-
lily. His pecuniary endorsements, which
have been very pressing since that time, no
doubt led him to commit the guilty deeds
which he has SO fearfully e1piated Norfolk
Journal Of Saturday.