Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-04-13

SUICIDE IN DOONSBORo.-OuF COtllInu-
nifty was Mortified on Monday afternoon
by the announcement that George F.
Smith, late landlord of the .. S. Hotel,
had committed suicide by hanging him
self. The report, alas, was too true;
and on repairing to his residence on
Church street we found his body cold
in death, himself the destroyer of his
own life. His body was first discover
ed by his son Frisby about half-past
one O'clock in the afternoon, suspended
by common rope halter on the garnet
Of the house, and it was the opinion OF
DIR. VIM. B. Wheeler, who had been
called in, that he had been hanging
there at least one hour and half. de
was taken down as soon as discovered,
but the vital spark bad fled. He was
about the house during the forenoon as
usual, engaged in his usual work, and
before noon went up stairs, as was sup
posed. to rest awhile on the bed. He
was not present at dinner, but this
caused no alarm, and the dinner was
finished without him. About halfpast
one his son had occasion to go on the
parret, when he made the horrible dis
oovery. A small cot stood on the gar
ret, few feet to the right of the head
of the stairway, the foot Immediately
under the ratter to which the halter had
been fastened, and it is very probable
that he stood on this cot to adjust the
fatal moose, and from it stepped of into
eternity.
AS to the cause that lead to this rash
act, we can only conjecture. Financial
embarrassment NAV have had something
to do with il; other causes doubtless had
q powerful influence upon his mind,
breaking down his will-toree and crush
ing his spirit, until he could no longer
resist the temptation to ED the conflict
in self-destructioB.
He leaves family Of tour girls and
FIVE boys, most Of them mere children,
and all young, to suffer The bitterness OF
this sudden aud sad taking off, and the
sympathies of this entire community are
wrought up to the most tender point in
their behalf May God interpose his
aim ighty arm to shelter them from the
pitiless storm that is beating upon
the m with such fury.
George +. Smith had his faults. We
cannot coBdoDe them; we have no apol-
ogy for the rash act that suddenly cuts
asunder the silver cord; but back of all
this he bad kind, generous heart, that
was always ready TO help suffering
fellow who was struggling along the
journey Of life. He was kind father,
an affectionate husband, and generous,
good neighbor.
We write this notice OF his sudden
ending with sadness, and remember on
~ his kindness and the good traits that
was in his life, and over his many faults
gently lay the broad mantle Of charity.
Heaven forbid that We should ever be
called upon to record another such .
tragedy. His age was 50 years.
His funeral took place on Wednes-
day, from his residence, and his remains
inferred in the cemetery in this place.
The services were conducted by Rev. 5.
S. Miller, of the Reformed church,
BoonsbOro' Old ENow.
BH- Mr.. Smith was a son OF Michael
Smith who removed from Shepherds
town to Boonsboro about the year 1880.
A BIG HAUL.-In last issue, we men-
toned the arrest OF several co!ored men !
on charges Of burglary. The names of !
the parties are Dennis Smalwood, John !
Lucas, Randall Murphy, William Tylor,
Charles Newman and David Glenn.
The entire lot had hearing before jus !
tees Wilen aud Gardner on Saturday, I
and were held over for the Circuit
Court Grand Jury, in the sum Of $500
each, and were sent TO Jail in default OF
bail. Newman being used as a witness
was released on his own recogniZance.
Five commitments were issued against
Smallwood, three against Murphy, one
against Lucas, and two against Glenn.
There is little doubt that these are the
parties who have been breaking into
stores and dwellings, aud robbing
freight cars during the past winter
On Wednesday, James +. Reed, Jr-
Chas. Coleman, Benjamin Lane aud
= Harper, all white boys, were ar
rested on affidavit of the night watch
man of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road, on chasges of stealing coal, ard
had hearing before Justice Wilen.
All were committed in default of bail,
tor the action of the grand jury, except
Reed, who was released on bail.--Mar-
hnsburg Independent.