Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-06-17


WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS - From the New
York World. The death Of this distinguished
Southern novelist took place at the residence o
his son,iu-law in Charleston, S. e., on Satur
duy evening. MIR. Simms was born in Char.
lesion, April Il, 1906. He was OF Irish ex-
traction. At the early age Of years he began
to write verses, and during the latter part OF
the War oi 1912 the chiel employment oil bis
leisure hours was to compose rhymed narratives
OF the exploits OF the American army and navy.
Owing to the poverty 0! his family and sick
ly childhood. his early education was very sim
pie, and at 10 years of age almost his only re-
quirements were knowledge of reading and
writing For several years afterwards he was
employed clerk in drug and chemical store
10 Charleston, but at the age Of Is he Quilted
this occupation to begin the study OF the law.
4 years practice at this eXacting profession
sufhced to weary him, and in 1925 he turned
his attention to literature His first published
work was a "Monody on the Death of Charles
Cotesworth PDcsney." He followed this with
two volumes entitled Lyrical and Other
Poems" and "EarS lays" Iu the meantime
he had become editor Of the Charleston City
Gazette. Taking the side of the Union in the
qualification troubles OF 1892, his subscribers
deserted him, and lett him nearly peDniless
This partly decided him 10 remove 10 the
North, and thus for. several years he brcame
member OF the literary society OF New York
Mr. Simms published his first novel in IS
50: Martin Faber, the Story OF Criniu-
si" Thenceforward. nearly to tho present
day, he has been one of the most industrious
in rapid succession volumes CT poetry, ro-
literature, many OF which obtaioed wido
popularity. Among his best novels were
Count Julian" 'Thc Partisan" Mel
liebampe, Guy Rivers "''Border Beag gles,"
"Beauchampe," and "Katberinc Walton." |
and his masterpiece was generally conceded TO
be The Yemassee," founded upon lndian
character and history.
TO the department OF history aud biography
Mr.. Siums contributed a History OF South
Carolina" and lives of General Marion, Cap,
tain John Smith, the Chevalier Bayard, and
General Greene. He wrote continually Tor
the magazines and periodicals, and there was
scarcely department 10 literature that dld
not receive some contribution from his pen.
Until within few years, MIR. Simms resided
IN a fine plantation at Midway, S. e., and oc-
cupied himself ir rural and literary pursuits.
Ihjs place was destroyed by the Invading army
during the war, and he was again reduced to
poyerty. He came North Tor second time
10 live, and remained here until within year.
devoted to his old pursuits. Simms Wrltlogs
we're at one tine very popular throughout Inc
country. and are still so in the South. lie
was undoubtedly the most esteemed OF Amer
lean historical noVelists after cooper: u
nersonal character be was a genial, refined,
and nJeasant gentleman, frank and courteous
in his manners, and blameless in his private
lie, Wherever he lived, there he had troops
ri friends, and among them not few admirers
who were wont to regard him with something
orthe same worship that was lavlshed by the
neiphbors of Gad's Hill upon the great move
Nct whose career and death were almost CON
temnorap peous with those of the SUBJECT OF this
sketch.
SINGULAR SUICIDE IN BERLIN.-l have 10
record the death by suicide OF young amer.
can, hailing from West Roxtury' Mass WIZ
had been pursung his musical studies mere at
The Kulack Conservatory for about eight
months, In a st Of utter dependency, most
;nusual in youth Of nineteen years OF sec, DC
vent into wood, about four miles from tniS
civ and deliberately blew out his brlans, with
a nistol he had but newly purchased. as eVl
dent from the price ticket still attached thereto.
IN bis nerson we're found, among private
Elects. such as watch, money, &c, pocket
hook containing, q most minute accounI VI
Ssilv expenditures since his landing at liam
bnre, and which sufficiently denoted him
most orderly, economical and prudent youne
man. A separate entry showed that he had al
The time considerable balance in his banker 5
hands. Previous 10 the rash deed ne mad nae
written letters in pcLc on the pages OF the
look to his relatives, among which The toll9W
inr, sufficiently explaining his motives TO n'
father. thus: ooI,,
"Il's DO use, father. | wish to make cam
and perfectly true statement. nave oee'
here nearly eight months, and to day canno o.
striIe one note upon the piano as it should D.
struck. Herr Wicprecht, chef d orchestre mere
was right it was not to be. Dear iather' u
NOT ,hink 100 harshly of me-. You cannot know
how hard | have tried to get the rlGnt way; ou
I am firmly convinced that should nav
never played the piano as 1t ought 10 !:
nlayed. | had learned entirely wrong anu
vas too late to DO everything over agaisn
Thank you, dear father, a Thousand times, 10
ronr love and kindness in seuding me here
and 80 wish it might have been otherWls:
God bless you, my father, and may you lors'V
your son.
The necessary arrangements lot HIS Du'i
we're attended to by Consul kreissman' anu Il
vas inferred last night in the cemetery at Cha
lottenburc, o town in the vicinity or the ,, WOO
where the tragic event took place.-hen'
"ue of ,bo ~ y Herald