, 1873-05-06
SHOCKING SUICIDES.
Death ON tho Wedding H10rn.-Trnglc
End of d Long Col1rlshfp.

Dcnth ON tho wedding r1orn.-Trngic
End of q Long Courtshfp.
From the Philadelphia Psess, May1.
Our city. was shocked yesterday ~ tho fopo1s
that q woll-Anown citizen had suddenly enaed
his existence byshooting himself through the
heart with Smith and Wesaon revolver. Tho
suicide was Mr. Richard Dale Pottit, son Of tho
late Hon. William Petit, and nephew Of Rich-
ard Petit, Esq, Naval Paymaater for this ata-
tion. Tho sad affair took placo at No. 248 South
Eighth street, whero tho deceased had boon
boarding foraomo years.
Tho unfortunate man was in company with
friends until nearly u o'clock on Tuesday night,
and appeared to be in tho best OF spirits, Ho
and alluded oxultingly to Lis approaching nar-
yiago with Miss Robecca Btaley, most eBti1na-
bio lady, daughter Of the 1ato Andrew staloy, tho
wall-known brewer, and niece OF tho late Or.
R9esrt oadooug wealthy nysets st1a, F9o Tn TS
Fifteenth. Dr. Caldclough died eomo months
since, and BY bis will left quito O. large fortune
to Miss staloy. It seems that Mr: Petit had boon
engaged to DO married to Miss ,staley for
been caused By desire On tho part Of
the lady to wait until both secured fortunes Buffi
cient whom joined to Insure competence, ease,
and enjoyment for the rest Of their natural
lives ;Ihis bright and hopeful pottura, q, was Ut
bio aot Of which We have spoken. The nuptiala
wero to haye boon celebrated ut noon in St.
Marks Episcopal Church, on Locust street aboyo
Sixteenth. Tho announcement waa made some
on both sides, and extensive preparations had
been going on to mako tho coromonioa aB I'M
posing as possible. bridesmaids and grooms-
men were aeleotod; drosamakers Of extreme
taste engaged to s35 ls5a their M 8. od s[,.,,o TO-
Church WIS tho theme Of gossip among those
who make up It's audiences at auch times, and,
after breakfast this morning, many maiden al
we'll as matron repaired to her chamber to pre-
ei eeeiyo tho startling inteldgonce lint tho hand
some bridegroom Ind put aa end to bis own lifc.
Tho news was broken to tho brtdo In delicate
manner, from whom there waa no response, but
. Look OF WOO not bearing description. She TO-
shut in with her own griof. What makea this
affair additionally sad is that the bride aud groom
had laid out plans for wedding tour to Europe,
and had engaged passage In Q vessel plying be-
twoen Now York and Liverpool.
It appears thnt tho deceased retired about
midnight, and nothing WAS hoard OF him again
until o'clock yesterday morning, when tho
household WAS startled by tho report, Of pistol
shot. 4 boardor, Mr. Thomas Hall, proceeded
to Mr. Pottit'a chamber, and there found lis
lfeleBs corpse stretched upon tho floor. Ho
summoned tie people Of tho house, and physi-
cians were callett in, but all efforts to perceive
the slightest sign of iifo were inoffectual. It
was found that tho ball had entered the heart
aigns Of any premeditation in tho act: Tho
deceased was only partly dressed, and had
taken the pistol from bureau drawer, while
apparently arranging his toilet. It aeems
tho moment, without previous intent. Those
who wore with him on Tuesday night
state that he drank only ale aud beer, ind was
mostly engagod in convorsation touching his
his Forthcoming wedding with all Of that enthu~
Hiaam which charactorizee person on the owe OF
happy matrimonial alliance. Several poraonB
presented hin, with letters Of introduction to
prominent personagos In London and other
cities, all Of which he took thankfully, and
promised to use.
The deceased was an impulaive man, but
kindly in disposition. He was about Sc years
Of age, and was not engaged in any businesa at
the time Of hls death. He had studied the pro-
fcsBfon Of medicine some yoarH Hinco, but had
| never practiacd tho healing art.
A MRn Burns Himself to Death.
Tho Xonia (O.) Torchlighl gives tho following
particulars Of the recent suicide Of Richard Will
hanson: .....
"Richard Williamson, man 36 years of ago,
and for some years past suffering from mental
derangemont, terminated his life III tho follow
ing fearful manner: Ho fanc!ed III his deranged
condition that he must sacrifice limBolf on The
| 80 firm waa he In thia reaovo that his wifo, a
short time since, through foar, abandoned the
house. On Saturday, tho 26th, ho doyotod most
Of tho day to gathering into hia log house,
preparatory to his dreadful and speedy se1f-in:
1noation. About o'clock he fred tho building,
! ascending to the funeral pile, and there, upon
bonded knees, remained until the deyouring
| flames ended bis lifo. h1r. Furnas, who resided
| near by, used every exertion to reecuo tho IN.
fortunate man, but without avail. Tho decoased
| man iB OF good family and was In fair clrcun,,
| stances: The light from tho burning dwelling
| Was Visible ut Spring Valley"