The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-04
A SAD DEATH. Saturday last intelli

A SAD DEATH. -Saturday last intelli-
gence was received of the death Of Thos. B.
Barkman, formerly of this city, who had for
the past twelve months been in the photo
graph business in Danville. The particulars
of the sad occurrence are brief and Distress
ing. He had been drinking for several days
previous, but on Saturday morning was seen
on the street about nine O'Clock perfectly
sober and seemingly in his usual health.
Two hours later physician, DR.. Wllllams'
went up into his gallery, to which there are
three doors, for the purpose OF getting some
work. After trying two of the doors ana
finding them locked, he effected an entrance
through the third, which was unfastened.
Not finding young Barkman in the gallery,
he went to his sleeping apartment, which
adjoined, and discovered him lying on the
floor. The visitor, thinking him asleep, en-
deavored to arouse him, but upon closer ex-
animation was shocked to find him dead.
DR.. Williams Immediately summoned two
other physicians. and more minute exam
nation convinced them that the deceased
had been dead for an hour or an hour and
half. His features were perfectly composed.
No trace of the convulsve death agony was
left, but all was as calm and peaceful as il re-
freshing slumber, instead OF the deep, dream
less sleep of death had overtaken him. On
the table near by was note stating that he
had taken his own life, and when the jury
of inquest was summoned, its decision was
that death had resulted from dose of some
of the poisonous chemicals used in his gal
leary, administered by his own hand.
The remains were dressed in uniform, he
having been a member of the Danvllle
Greys, and accompanied to this city by two
members of the Company, Sergeant Geo.
w. Clutter, and Corporal W. S. Flynn. At
the Staunton depot, early Sunday morning,
they were met by detachment from the
West Augusta Guard, and number OF cltl-
zens, and conveyed to the residence OF his
mother, on Main street, where during the
day they were visited by numerous friends.
At six O'Clock in the evening the collin,
which was hidden beneath wealth OF rare
flowers, was placed in the hearse, and pre-
ceded by the Band playing Webb's beauti-
full ssDead march, ''the West Augusta Guard,
of which he was a member, and the Staun-
ton Artillery, and followed by long line OF
carriages, the procession moved slowly and
solemnly to the cemetery, where large
crowd had already assembled. At the grave,
Rev. Mr.. Hullihen read the funeral service,
three volleys were fired, and there in the
glow of the soft summer sunset, all that was
mortal Of noble and generous nature was
laid to rest beneath the clods.
Few men had warmer or more sincere
personal friends than Tom Barkman. His
bearing was ever courteous, dignified and
manly, inspiring respect with all who CHANGED
to meet him, whilst his many noble qualities
of heart and head won and retained the at
lection and esteem Of those more intimately
associated with him. His was nature that
scorned a mean or questionable act. Frank,
open and straightforward. his character pos
sessed traits the noblest of the human. In
all his dealings there was scrupulous homes
ty, whilst in his disposition he was gentle
as a child, with sensibilties as delicate as a
| woman's.
To his heart broken and widowed mother,
and affectionate brothers, we, in common
| with the entire community, tender the mos'
heartful sympathy. Her grief is beyond the
healing of earthly agency, but if ought hui
| man can assuage its pangs, certainly the
the manifold and sincere testimonies O.
sympathy must have been grateful to her.