Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-02
Tragic Suicide.
[Riehmond Dispatchl

IRiehmond Dispatchl
A gentleman who arrived in the city
Yesterday furnishes the details OF a
most tragic and distressing suicide,
which occurred Monday night at the
residence Of Mr.. Joseph NJ. Blanten. IN
Cumberland county. The particulars
of the sad affair are in substance as iol-
lows: A young man named Richard
Kirk. from Mobile, Ala, who had lately
graduated from the University OF North
Carolina. Lad been for some time past
paving bis devoirs TO Miss Kate Fairs
also of Mobile. The parents OF the
young lady objected to his attentions,
and in order to put stop to them sent
her on a visit to Mr.. Blanton. whe is a
relative or connection of the Fairs
family. The young man, it seems,
determined not 10 be thwarted, and
started from Mobile last week to seek
bis love in Virginia. Arrived at Farm
vile. he drove TO Mr.. B!anton's house
seven miles distant, on Monday morn
ing last. His reception by the object OF
lis affections, it is presumed, was any
thing but favorable, for he lett MIR.
Blanton's very precipitately, and, re-
turning to Farmville, was observed to
indulge quite freely IL strong drink.
During the early afternoon. it is said,
he went to gunsmith named Baker
procured pistol, which he got Baker
TO load for him. lie then hired team
from smithson's livery stable, taking
with HIM a cOlored man named George
Dicos. and drove back to Mr.. Blanton's
house. IL was then late in the alter
noon, and the gentleman Of the house
observing bis excited condition was at
first little Inclined to allow the young
lady to see him. He was, however,
finally announced. but Miss Faris would
only consent to see him IN company
with Miss Willie Blanton. The two
young ladies accordingly went to the
parlor, and out of abundant caution MI.
Blanton accompanied them. They had
scarcely entered when Kirk whispered
TO Miss Faris, and she requested Mr.
BlantOn TO retire. Mr.. Blanton with
draw to The hall, where he walked up
and down near at hand as if fearing
some trouble. In a few moments the
report Of n pistol was heard. Rushing
INTO the paror Mr.. Blanton behcld Miss
Fairs lying on the floor. He picked her
up and carried her to the sofa under the
impression that she had been shot. He
soon found she had only swooned, and,
looking around, beheld young Kirk
stretched dead upon the floor. He had
shot himself through the head, the ball
entering the right ear, and, gong direct.
" through the head, had passed out OF
the left ear.
The news of this fearful tragedy was
not generally known in Farmville un-
til yesterday, and, as might naturally
be supposed, has thrown a gloom over
the entire community. The friends Of
the unfortunate young man were prompt
ly telegraphed TO, aud it is presemed
will promptly convey his remains 10
Alabama.
Intelligence Of another suicide was
obtained from the same source. 1t ap-
pears that Elijah G. Hudgins, farmer
living in Cumberland county below the
Courthouse, committed suicide last
week at his residence by cutting his
throat from ear to ear. He died Instant
ly. Domestic trouble was probably the
cause OF the rash act, the deceased hav-
ING separated from lis wife.