Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-02-24
INSTANT DEATH.
Wilmer Lancaster shoots
himself.

tIIltOOItI
Mr.. Wilmer Lancaster, messenger be-
tween Bristol and Chattanooga, for the
Southern Express Co., shot himself to-
day at lilo A. NJ. in his room on Solar
Hill, the ball passing through his heart
and causing death instantly. No recent
event in our town has caused more sor-
row than this one. He was II most eX-
emplary and truly noble young man, the
hope, pride, and comfort of widowed
mother and three sisters. His family
are among the very best and most cs-
teemed in all Bristol and his death has
brought sorrow to nearly every house
hold in our town.
Last Sunday evening he attended En-
mannel church with his mother and sis
tars. Rev, Mr., Gibbs, who preached
was stopping with the family and on
Monday morning his sister was aroused
by hearing him eXclaim at Mr.. Gibbs
door, "Oh Mr.. Gibbs, am lost! What
must do to be saved:"
lie at once returned 10 his room, and
during the day refused TO let any one
enteri it, only one time permitting u little
food to be handed him. In the evening
he consented that his mother should
allow Mr.. Jno. r. Dickcy to be sent for
and promised to admit him 90 his room.
Mr.. Dicl,ey was quite unWell and could
not SO. This morning Mr.. Dicllcy was
again sent for, but was yc, too unWell to
so, and sent his brother, Mayor j. A.
Dickey, instead. Mrs. Lancaster at
once called at his door, which was both
locked and barred with a chair, and ask
him if he would admit Mayor Dickcy,
that Mr., Jno Il. Dicbey was too sick
to come. He replied "no," and the re-
port of the pistol Immediately followed.
Hearing the report, Mayor Dicliey at
once ran to the room and, breaking the
door lock, found him lying on his back
in bed, as though naturally sleeping, and
breathing his last He neither spoke
nor moved. Close beside the head Of
the bed was his small table, on which
lay his Smith & Weston pistol, No. %,
and beside IT an open volume of "Thc
Kings of Israel" which he had been
reading, He had deliberately shot him
self and then laid the pistol on the table.
The ball, No. 80, had entered an inch
and half to the right Of the left nipple
and, and with very slight downward
range, passed through the body, coming
out at the edge of the spinal column,
lodging against his flannel shirt. The
external hcnorrlage did not amount to
spoonful. His little dog was found on
the bed beside him and refused to leave
until carried away.
ANTHONY WILMER LANcAsER, eighth
child Of Thos. G, and Mary Lancaster,
was born in Fincastle, Va, December
6, 1917. For about 20 years he has lived
IN this town. A more dutiful, devoted
and ailCctionate son and brother we have
never known. Ills death is n private
calamity and public anlciion. Vast
numbers Of our people at once Hooked to
the beautiful but desolatc abode Of the
family, on Solar Hill, to testify their
sorrow and sympathy for one ofthe most
eStlmable and highly esteemed Of all our
old families. The death of Wilmer Ian
caster was so clearly due to u short spell
Of insanity that an inquest was deemed
unnecessary by Mayor TeTo and Justice
Bunting. 1t must be well with this no.
bic young man, now that life is over,
a character 80 noble and 30 generous
and so lovely in It's domestic duties, eau
find congenlal fate only in u world oi
bliss. We wish We could have some
other balm TO soothc the sorrow Of hui.
manity, but such Is not and cannot be-.
At la5t We must acknowledge thai Iieay-
en- is enough, aud that he has that no
one for u moment doubts.