Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-05-08
SUICIDE OF a BRIDEGROOM.
Death ON the wedding Morn-A
Young Gentleman shoots Himself
Through the Heart-Tragic End Of
4 Long (,otlrsshis5.


Young gentleman Shoots Himself
Tnrouxb the Heart-Tragic End Of
q Long Cemrsshifi.
From the Philadelphia Press, May 1.
Our city was shocked yesterday by the re-
port that a well known citizen had sudden
IL ended bis existence by shooting himself
through the heart with Smith Il Wesson
revolver. The suicide was Mr.. Richard
Dale Petit, i Ben of the late Hon. William
N. Petit, and nephew of Richard Petit,
ESQ, naval paymaster for this station. The
sad affair took place at No. 248 South
Eighth street, where the deceased had been
boarding for some years. ar
The unfortunate man was IN company
with friends until nearly IL o'clock on
Tuesday night, and appeared to be in the
best Of spirits. He spoke of bis excellent
prospects for the future, and alluded ekult-
ingly to bis approaching
MARRIAGE
with Miss Rebecca Staley, a most estima-
BILE lady, daughter OF the late Andrew
Staley, the well known brewer, and niece
of the late DR.. Robert Caldcleugh, a
wealthy physician, who resided for many
years on Chestnut street, below Fifteenth.
DIR. Caldcleugh died some months since, and
by his will left quite large fortune to Miss
Staley. 1t seems that Mr.. Petit had been
engaged to be married to Miss Staley for
the past thirteen years, the delay having
been caused by desire on the part OF the
lady to wait Until both could secure fortunes
sufficient when joined to insure compe-
tence, ease, and enjoyment for the rest of
their natural lives. This bright and hopeful
picture was utterly oblitersted yesterday
morning by the terrible act of which we
have spoken. the nuptials were to
have been celebrated at noon in
st. Marks Episcopal Church, on
Locust street, above Sixteenth. The an
nouncement was made some time since to
the relatives and immediate friends on both
sides, and extensive preparations had been
going on to make the cerersOhles as iinpos-
ing as possible. Bridesmaids and grooms-
men were selected; dressmakers ofextrene
taste engaged to lend their aid to the occa-
sion; Joyous were tbs hearts of all who were
to participate in the festivities, and the sue
cess of every undertaking towards the con-
summation of the long-looked-for event as
sured those interested that their hopes
would be realized to the fullest extent. The
wedding at St. Marks Church was the theme
of gossip among those who make up its
audiences 'tstlch times, and, after breakfast
this morning, many a maiden, as well as
matron repaired to her chamber to prepare
her toilet, not expecting so soon to receive
the startling intelligence that the handsome
bridegroom had put an end TO his own life.
The news was broken to the bride in del
icate manner, from whom there was no re-
Spouse, but a look Of woe not bearing de-
scriptioil. She retired at once to her chain
Der, where she remains shut in with her
own grief. What makes this affair addi-
tionally sad is that the bride and groom had
laid plans for a wedding tour to Europe,
and had engaged passage in vessel ply
ing between New York and Liverpool.
1t appears that the deceased retired about
midnight, and nothing was heard of him
again until seven o'clock yesterday morn
ing. when the household was startled by
the report Of pistol-shot. A
boarder, Mr.. Thomas Hall, proceeded to
Mr.. Pettit's chamber, and there found his
lifeless corpse stretched upon the floor. He
summoned the people of the house and
physicians were called in, but all efforts to
perceive the slightest sign of life
were Intellectual. 1t was found that
the ball had entered the heart
and had caused instant death.
There were no signs of any generalization
in the act. The deceased was only partly
dressed, and had taken the pistol from
bureau drawer while apparently arranging
his toilet. It seems to have been an act
committed on the spur of the moment,
without previous intent. Those who were
with him on Tuesday night state that he
drank only ale and beer, and was mostly
engaged in conversation touching his pro-
jected
WEDDING TOUR TO EUROPE,
speaking of his forthcoming wedding with
all of that enthusiasm which usually char
acterizes person on the eve of a happy
matrimonial alliance. Several persons pre-
sented him with letters of introduction to
prominent personages in London and other
cities, all of which he took thankfully and
promised to use.
The deceased was an impulsive man, but
kindly in his disposition. he was about
thirty-six years of age, Of Anglican mould
in form and features, and was not engaged
in any business at the time of his death.
He had studied the profession Of medicine
some years since, but had never prscticed
the healing art.
Some of the deceased gentleman's friends
ascribe the rash act TO insanity, theory
which is borne out by the fact that he had
stated to several parties that be was going
to Vienna as correspondent Of The Press
op1 Todooa.