The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-24
Mr. Frank A. Thornton Kills Himself
with TnutfRnum. *,

| Mr. Frank A. Thornton died yesterday at
| Fairfield, his county-seat, In Prince Georges
county. Md, 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
Sth instant, is still fresh in the memory OF
the public. Mr. Thornton and Miss Annie
! i. Ford were married on the ED OF June
last. They came Immediately to Mr.. Thorn-
toms home, ut Fairticld-a beautiful spot
near ForrcstviHe and Suitland.
After six weeks OF happiness the talented
wife died. Since that time grief has weighed
heavily upon the heart Of the bereaved hus-
band, although be bore up maniully, and
there was little in his manner or conduct
toward his friends to indicate how sad the
loss was to him until the last few days. On
Tuesday evening, while in company with
friends in this city, he 1ourished revolver
in n very reckless manner, and gave to his
friends the impression that grief had made
him frantic. Yesterday he invited a friend
In this city 20 gentleman named Schaefer) to
dine with him at Fairfield. The two drove
out in q carriage. DOn the way out Thorn
ton mounted the box with the driver.
lie made Joking remark to the driver,
",John, II commit suicide, will you come
out and take care OF me - But he did not
appear tobc serious, and no thought was
taken Of the remark until afterwards.
When Mr.. Thornton and his friend reached
Fairfield, Mr.. Thornton went directly to
the room where His wife had died, and his
GRIEF became uncomfortable. He threw
himself upon the bed and wept like child.
Mr.. Schacfer tried to calm him, and finally
induced him to leave the room and 90 down
stairs away from the associations OF the
death-chamher. About O'Clock Mr. Thorn
ton went back upstairs TO the room AMI Lay
down on the bed.
About III hour aftcrward q servant went
to the room 10 call hiu~down to dinner, but
he could not rouse him, and, returning
down stairs, reported that Mr. Thornton
was sick Mr.. Schaeier went to the room,
and found him lying on the bed and rapidly
sinking. BY his side was phial, which had
contained about an once OF laudanum. In her
last sickness Mrs. Thornton had used por-
ton OF the laudanum to relieve herself OF
pain. The phial was in the room. and was
ready ut hand for Mr.. Thornton. AS soon us
Sir. Schaeier discovered the condition OF the
dying man he alarmed the house, and i'm
mcdatelv dispatched messengers for medi-
cal aid. u...
Every possible thing was done to reSuS-
citale Mr.. Thornton, but he died in the arms
OF Mr.. !Schaefcr before medical aid arrived.
The news OF the death did not reach this
city until quite late last evening. as the ia
cilities for communication between this city
and Fairfield are limited. Mr.. Thornton's
friends state that they believe his death was
the result Of accident. and that he swal-
lowed the laudanum simply for the purpose
of quoting his nerves. Mr.. Thornton was
Young, popular, and quite well known in
this city, where he had numerous friends.
Washington Republican, 23d.