The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-24
singular Suicidc.
HE RESULT UF UINAFFUINTED NANII
OF A PROMISING CAREER.


Especial 10 the Baltimore American.I
FREDERICK. Nd, July 22.-On Tuesday
last Nc. William NJ. Markell, formerly Of
tfisc city, bu, for the past five years resi-
dent OF Washington, ID. c., who has been
staying with his mother for few weeks at
the boarding-house OF Mrs. James III. Be-
SAINT, Courthouse Square, met with an acci-
dent which came TO an end only when death
relieved him OF his sufIerlngs at an early
hour this morning.
The circumstances attending the sad af-
fair are substantially these Having con-
versed with friend very earnestly for
some time upon some matter that was
deeply interesting to him, Mr. Markell
found that he was not kely TO succeed as he
had wished and expected, when, feeling the
humiliation of the position IN which he was
placed, he declared his intention OF killing
himself. He at once went 10 his room, and
taking his revolver from bis trunk. he pro-
ceeded to go down stairs with tin his hand.
When about midway OF the stairs and facing
the front door, he saw Mr.. III. III. Smith.
journal clerk OF the House of Representa-
tives, who has had daughter boarding at
the ssme house, come In the door, and at the
same instant he discharged the contents Of
one chamber OF the revolver into his breast
about one and a. half inches below the point
OF the heart, the ball taking a downward
and backward course and coming out Of his
back about three inches TO the left OF his
backbone and about two inches above the
hip.
1t Is supposed that he intended going
down the steps and into a room on the first
floor, where his friend was seated, wbeT,
seeing some one come in the front door. he
attempted to conceal the pistol by putting
it into the breast pocket OF his coat, which
was the only place be could have hidden
it-be had on straight-cut sack coat, which
he always wore buitoned up-but in doing
so he pressed too hard on the trigger, which
caused the pistol, a sef-cocker, 10 go of.
Mr.. Smith, who opened the door Just aS the
pistol was discharged, said that Mr.. Mar
kell Immediately rushed towards him, cali
ing "For Gods sake, Harry, save me-" and
rushed around as If frightened at what had
happened. The boarders, who were dining
at the time in room adjoining the hall
where the shot was fired, Immediately ran
out, and as soon as the situation was real
lied, commenced to quiet the sufferers
outcries and to summon medical aid. Drs.
Smith, BalfZell, and Johnson were on hand
In few minutes, and at once tried 10 ascer-
tain the nature OF the wound. They ut irst
supposed the bullet to have struck a rib and
glanced around the body, coming out as de-
scribed and lnfliciing merely flesh wound {;
bnt they soon found from his symptoms
that the case was Of much more serious
nature. He did not bleed more than half a
pint, end gave no indications OF an inter-
nal hemOrrhage, but from the first was
seized with a nausea and sickness OF the
stomach. The physicians placed him under
the influence Of opiates, and. his condition
was apparently easy until yesterday about
II O'Clock, when he was troubled with Il
slight attack OF hiccouehs. This passed
away, and the afternoon was spent without
any dlscouraging indication until about
O'Clock, when the hiccough set in much
more violently thar before, and continued,
with intervals OF deep sleep, during which
time he breathed with much difficulty, until
death came, at 1:35 O'Clock this morning.
Mr.. Markell was about twenty-three years
of age, had Just graduated from the Law
School OF the Columbian University, Wash
ington, in June last, and was few days AZ
forwards admitted to the bar OF the District
courts. He was also a graduate OF some OF
the schools OF the University OF Virginia.
and bad taken courses OF instruction at
other colleges. He had intended, after
spending some months OF practical training
in Washington, to locate in the West for
the purpose OF following the profession OF
law. His only brother, Dir. Charles Mar
keIl, who is now enjoying lucrative law
practice in Fort Wayne, Ind, arrived in
this city this morning in response to tele-
gram sent Immediately after the suicide.
His mother, who bore up with remarkable
fortitude during the whole ordeal. terrible
as If was. at last was overcome, and is now
in an extremely nervous. state. The re-
mains will be buried in Mount Oliyei
Cemetery tomorrow afternoon at O'Clock