National Republican., 1877-08-23
A TRAGIC SUICIDE.
MR.. FRANK A. THORNTON KILLS
HIMSELF WITH LAUDANUM
DRIVEN FRANTIC ny THE LOSS OF HIS ACCOM-.

DRIVEN FRANTIC ny THE LOSS OF HIS ACCOM-
PLIsHED wIrE-HE OFFERS HIMSELF TO
DEATH IN THE ROOM IN WHICH SHE DIED.
Mr.. Frank A. Thornton died yesterday at
Fairfield, his county scat, in Prince Georges
county, Nd, under circumstances which leave
little room for doubt that he took his own
life. The death Of his accomplished wife, the
eldest daughter Of John T. Ford, esq, which
occurred at Fairfield on the 9Th instant, Is still
fresh In the memory Of the public, Mr.. Thorn
ton and Mis- Annie E. Forl were married on
the nd OF June last. They came immediately
to Mr. Thornton's home, at Fairfield, = beauti'
f1l spot near Forrestville and Suitland.
After six weeks NJ happiness the talented
wifc died. Since that time grief has weighed
heavily upon the heart Of the bereaved hus-
haul, although he bore up manfully, and there
was little In his manner or conduct toward his
frieuds to indicate how sail the loss was to him
until the last few days. On Tuesday evening,
while In company with friends In this city, he
fourishcd o revolver In very reckless man
ner, and gave to his friends the impression
that grief hal male him frantic. Yesterday
he inyitei q friend In this city, q gentleman
named Schaefcr, to dine with him at Fairfield.
The two drove out In u carriage. On the way
out Thornton mounted the box with the
diver.
| I've Wnue . JOKING TcInHk 70 the nrNef'
~ ,hn, " ] commit suicide will YOU come out
and take care Of mc,' Hut he did not appear
to bc serious, and no thought was taken Of the
remark until afterwards. When Mr. Thorn.
ton aud his FREUD reached Fairfield, Mr.
Thornton went directly 10 the room where
his wife had die,l. and his grief became un.
comfortable. lie throw himself upon the bed
and wcpt like child Mr.. Schaefer tried tc
calm bin. and finally induced him to leave
the ioou and go down stairs away from the
associations of tho death chamber. About one
O'Clock Mr.. Thornton went hack up stairs u
the RON, and lay down on the bed.
Abont an houi afterwarl servant went Il
the room to call him down 10 dinner. but he
.pnid not rouse him. aud, returning down
stairs reported that Mr.. Thornton was sick
ling on the he'd and rapidly sinking. By hi
side was vial, which had contained about Al
ounce Of lsudanum. IN her last sickness Mrs
Thornton had used portion Of the laudanun
10 relieve herself Of pain. The vial was lef
: In tho room, aud was ready at hand for M
D Thornton. As soon as Mr.. Schaefcr discovers
the condition Of the dying man he alarmed tn
house snd Immediately dispatched messenger
. ioi medical all
Every possible thing was done to resuscitat
Mr. Thornton, but he died in the arms Of MI
SIhaefc, before medical aid arrived. Tn
news Of the death did not reach this city unit
quite late last evening, as the facilities fo
communication between this city and Fair8el
are limited. Mr.. Thornton's frieuds state tina
they balieve his death was the result Of acc
dent. and that he swallowed the laudanuI
' SIMPLY for tho purpose OF quating his nerve
! M Thornton was young, popular and quit
r well known In this city, where he had numel
, Gus friends.s