Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-07-13
ns7y- THE SUICIDE IpENrrr1ED.-Weel

cide committed by man, as the jury
supposed, named Berdell, of New York,
while stopping at the Hotel. of j. A.
Adams, of this place, on the 26th of
June. 1t now seems, from tie follow
ing article, taken from the Philadelphia
Times, of July 9th, that the suicides
name was Huldridge, of Philadelphia:
a WEST VIRGINIA SUICIDE.-For ten
years past tat, jolly old fellow, whose
age was among the sixties and his name
Perry Huldridge, carried on the crock
cry, tinware and secondhand goods
business at 1924 Vine Street. lie stuck
to his business, and had the reputation
Of being a shrewd buyer of crockery,
consequently could undersell many more
pretentous dealers i'll his neighborhood,
and his bargains, combined with his air
of bonhomme, suficed to give him pop
ularity and profitable patronage. Six
years ago he separated from his wife,
aud she took with her two sons, who
are now at manhood's estate. The old
fellow lived solitary since the separa-
ton, and but for occasional visits from
his sous might have been considered
destitute of kith or kin. lie is known
to have received letters sometimes from
West Virginia and California; land would
jokingly say 10 the letter carrier that
they were '.billets-doux." He also said
he had a niece i'm Buffalo who some
times wrote to him. On June 10 he
closed the store, went across the street
aud paid small store account, and re-
marked that he was going up TO Tren-
ton TO lay in some more crockery at the
potteries, always buying from first
hands. The days rolled around, June
u came, and the store windows were
still locked hard and tight.
Some of the neishbors, who had
missed the crockeryman's genial face,
thought something was amiss, and re-
collecting recent tragedies and suicides
reported the case to the police. and they
to the Central headquarters. Officers
went up to 1924 Vine street and forced
the door, No dangling figure of sui
eide or more horribly matilated and
murdered body confronted them. Ev-
erything appeared all right. HuldriGge's
bed was disordered, just as he had left
it on the 18th. The house was search
ed high and low, but no Huldridge was
there,
The scene next shifts to Shepherds
town, Jefferson county, West Virginia.
A well-dressed man, apparently about
sixty years OF age, arrived there by ca
nal boat from Harper's Ferry and put
up at }. A. Adams Hotel on Monday,
June "a. He did rot register his name.
Retiring Tuesday night, and not arising
the following day, his room was enter
ed, and he was found dying from dose
of morphine he had bought soon after
his arrival. Despite medical assistance
he expired in u few hours. In his
pocket was note running as follows:
-. Berdell, n. Y. l have come many
miles to end this unhappy life, and |
have no friends. J. Berdell." There
were also two memorandum books, from
which all the leaves had been taken and
destroyed. The principal clue was
deposit card, apparently for an umbrella
that had been left for repairs, contain
ing the lettering: ''Ilinkley's, Philadel-
phia, No. 6l2." The name Of the street
was carefully scratched out, as though
TO prevent Identification. A few dollars
and a gold watch comprised the extent
of the suicides valuables. a Shepherds
town photographer took a picture Of
the deceased. A remarked peculiarly
was the absence of the first joint of the
forefnger of the left hand. Chief OF
Police Jones was advised of the occur
renee by the Shepherdstown authorities
and Mr.. j. J. Williams, cf No. 1880
Vine street, Huldridge's intimate friend,
hearing of it at once was struck by the
description and the umbrella check.
Knowing that Mr.. Topkins had sue
ceeded the Hinkleys in the umbrella
business, at No 905 Vine street, he
went there on Tuesday and was shown
an umbrella, the check upon which bore
the number 6l2, corresponding exactly
with the card in the pocket OF the Shep-
herdslown suicide. Mr.. Williams at
once declared unhesitatingly that the
umbrella was his friend Huldridges. In
conversation subsequently he said he
felt confident that the suicide was HUI
bridge. lie also remembers that his
friend several years ago had his left
hand severely burned 10y coal oil ex-
plosion in his store, requiring the am
putation of the first joint of the forefin-
ger. This mutilation is similar TO that
Of the West Virginia man.
The residence of Huldridge's sons is
no: known, but when the announce
ment of the suicide becomes public they
will doubtless come forward. HUI
bridges intirnates are unable to suggest
any motive that could have impelled
the old gentleman TO take his life. His
business appeared prosperous, aud al
though his family affairs were unknown
he never manifested signs of depression
OF complained of any troubles.
E1" We were visited with fine rain
on Monday afternoon last, accompanied
with considerable storm, during which
the lightning struck shock of wheat
in the field of Mr. VIM. Coffenberger,
two miles southeast of town, which
was destroyed by the fire; and shock