Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-10-16
A Tragedy MT the W"sHs '"A
Monument.

Sr,KrrJSG AND THRILLING DEATH
A GREAT deal of excitement was crea,
ID ;n the usually quiet neighborhood
Of | M. Vernon Place yesterday afternoon
Nv the shocking death OF an unknown
~ w ratber genteel looking young man,
HIu had either fallen or thrown himself
t S"U the top Of the Washington Monu-
lent and had been crushed to death
ON the masonry Of the base below. 1t
iS not known yet, positively, whether
the act was intentional or accidental,
Enough all the indications point to sui
eide as there is sufficient stone bull
wark, breast high, at the top of the col
umu TO prevent anyone from falling.
The Monument, from the ground to
the top of the statue of Washington, is
195 feet high, aud its elevation is 2So
feet above tide water, affording mag
nifioent view Of the city and surround
inca particularly attractive to strangers,
such as the actor in this startling anu
tragic affair appeared to be- Inc nor,0
column or main shaft of the monument,
from the top Oh "h,o" IN loot souare
feet high, and the base 81 lee1 s9"a an5
ia "a feet high from the ground' ana
Surrounded by an iroL railing,
So, ,rTa sniside leaped from the south
o,. oorner of the capital of the column,
VIZ arms outstre,ched, and turning
WIN VIII once or twice in his thrilling de-
s"snt struck on the stones OF the
base base. a mangled, bleeding corpse. MI
c J Sweeuy, the young man in charge
81 the monument, says that at LIS L.
N. the deceased applied for admission,
maid the usual fee, and was furnlshed
With lantern to guide him in the dark
nass mn the winding steps inside the
column to the top. He did not appear
10 he disturbed in mind, and exhibited
no unusual signs. Mr.. Sweeny says that
in fifteen minutes or so afterwards ne
hard , noise over the top of the vaulted
roof of the base as though something
had fallen. and looked out of the Office
into the area between the base and the
iron railing encircling the monument,
Init saw nothing, and concluded ne had
been deceived. Soon afterwards lady
and gentleman went up together to the
ton Of the monument They remained
fifteen or twenty minutes, and on look
inc down saw the mangled and bloody
corpse living on top of the base. They
hurried with the information to the
keeper. the lady being 30 much over
come with the shocking sight as to be
in a faiuting condition when she reach
cd the Office. Several persons went up
20 where the body was lying, and a
truly shocking sight was presented
The body was lying Oh Its back the
head was crushed almost out OF shape,
the features bloody, large part OF the
brain forced out from the lett side OF the
slull in the rear of the left ear, brain
and fragments of the skull were spatter.
,d about the SPOT where the head had
s,ruck and pool of blood had formed
about the remains. The legs and arms
we're broken and limp when lifted, and
indeed there were too many mutations
TO cuumerate.
The Jury viewed the body and sat on
,be INQUEST i'm the chambers OF the base
of the monum ent. The only witness eX-
amined was Michael Sweeny, who ties
lid to the facts substantially as stated
Inv him above. He added that he was
certain the man went up alone, and
that he heard in.,istiuctly through the
thick masonry what he thought was
the fall before the second man and the
woman went up.
There was no clue to the name or
he unfortunate on his clothing orin the
,ockets. A single slip OF paper was
found upon which there was writing IN
lead pencil, scarcely iegitle, to the FOL
lowing effect: "And now, Miss Cobb,
leave YOU ia these words, hoping to
hear from you, Fare thee we'll, and still
forever fare thee well. Even though
unforpiyep, never against thee shall my
heart rebel" Three playing cards, the
queen of spades, queen of hearts and
tnaye of hearts, were also found in
pocket. The jury rendered verdict
that srhe deceased came to his death
nv a fall from the summit of Washing
ton Monument, but whether that fall
was suicidal or accidental is to us un-
known" -.
The remains were wrapped in white
winding-sheet and conveyed by three
policemen In alight spring wagon, fol
lowed by number Of people, to the
middle district station-house to await
identification. The face OF the victim
was not mutilated to such al extent as to
be unrecognizsble by persons knowing
the deceased in life. He seems to have
been about thirty years of age, of dark,
almost brown complexion, dark whlsk-
era and moustache, black waving hair,
hazel eyes, and generally Southern
look. His height was probably hve
feet and six inches, weighed $50
pounds, and build square. He wore
black clothing, a SLOUGH hat, brownish
pants, aud well-blackened CATERS. The
hands were soft and the feet small.
The dress, though it had evidently
been worn tor some time, and general
appearance, were genteeL
After the inquest young SweeDy
stated that the same man had been to
the top of the monument in the fore
noon. when he remained some time.
He came down, went away, and return
ed aoaiu for second visit after one
O'clock. with the startling result mar
rated Richard Murphy, a young man
,,.sa;no AZ the time of the tragedy, 1t il
lS-oI aaw the mau throw him.