Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-11

1HE OUlClDE OF MR.. LEE.-Ihe death, by
drowning, OF Mr. Matthew \. Lee, of Prince
William county, has heretofore been mentioued
| IN the Gazette. The Manassas Gaz.tte SAYS
William u. Lee, son OF the deceased, Was
arrested on the l9;h of August aud committed
to jail charged with burning the stack yard OF
Mr.. w. l.. 3. Wheeler, neighbor 4 few
days after this the old man showed signs Of iu-
saulty which we're n0ticed not only by his family
but by others who came 10 contact with him.
These signs were more fully developed on Tues
day, after which time Mrs. Lee aud her daugh-
tiers, the only grown persons about the farm,
kept strict watch over bin. His wild talk
showed that the crime charged against bis son
was the cause of his insanity, still no one of his
family suspected that such a terrible tragedy
awaited them % Saturday morning last Mrs.
Lee and her husband arose early as was their
usual custom, aud Mr.. Lee took bucket and
went to the spring, after which be took a
bucket OF slop to the hogs. This Was the last
| seen of him aud NJ Lee aroused her daugh-
tiers and went in search, but failed to discover
| IN which direction her husband had gone
Ba:ctootcd she ran to Mr.. L. W. Lewis a
mile distant and gave the alarm, whep that
gentleman mounted his horse and went towards
Bull Kun. lie had DOT gone far before he dis.
covered track going In that direction and fol
lowing this closely soon found pockal knife
which was recognized as b'!ouging 10 the un-
t'rtuLalc man. Tho tracks were followed to
Bull Run to shallow tord on Mr. VIM. h.
Campbells farm about mile and a hall dis
tln from Lees residence. BY this time seve-
ra other nclghbors had lined in the search
among whom were Mr. B f. Lewis, Mr. VIM
ii. Campbell, Mr.. Walker aud David Alexau-
der 1t was discovered that Bull Run bad
been crossed and that Mr.. Lee had gone over
to the Fairfax side. Crossing over the party
discovered Tie tracks going down the stream
and following them about three hundred yards
to what is kIowo as Beverdam Hole they
found his hat where he had broken the
top off a large weed and placed it, which it
seems he had deliberately doue as a mark
| TO show where he had made way with his life
Tracks were discovered in the sand and showed
the exact spot from where he loappd into a
watcry grave The tale was now told. Grief
over his sons alleged crime had caused him to
seek relief ID death, and he had taken this the
hrst opportunity to accomplish his terrible pur-
pose. The water at this place being eight or
ten feet deep and very muddy from recent rains,
1t was not kncwn whether the body had sunk
at this spot or been swept down stream. Prop
er drag hooks were procured and with a hook
lasteucu " 4 pOle David Alexander, cOlOrUd
waded out as far as he could, and dragging to
the bottom soon discovered something that be
took to be the body Of the unfortunate man.
and backing into shore found that he was right,
aud soon the ghastly remalos of the suicide
were laid out upon the back The body was
taken 10 charge aud sent home to distracted
wife and children. No inquest was held as it
Was deemed unnecessary, IN view Of the fact
that it was we'll known how he had come to his
death. His funeral took place on Sunday and
sermon preached by Elder Smoot, of Coco.
quao, and the remains inferred 10 the family
uuryipg grousd. Mr.. Lee was about fifty one
years of age aud leaves wife and eleven chill
dren, most of whom are grown, and sou mar
RED. lie was man respected by bis neigh
bors an honest and K, nd husband aud faith
and a good ueighbDr |! is said number OF
his blood connexions were Insane, aud his faith.
er IN tt Of Insanity, inflicted an injury on
himself by leaping from an upper story widow
at the house now occupied by the family, from
which he died in lew days. Matthew 4. Lee.
although OF an excentric disposition was until
the charge against his sou, considered of
sound mind. aud has held responsible positions
ID his township. -MaaaSsas Gasette,