The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-17
DEATH RATHER THAN DISGRACE.
John schmidt Takes a Fatal Draught Of
Laudanum Rather Than Wear the Shame
OF the Whipping-Pest-Sad Results from
an Honorable Wound.

On Sunday morning about O'Clock Po-
liceman Saunders discovered John Schmidt,
a German, lying In an unconscious condi-
tion In rear OF the Fifth (colored) Baptist
church, which Is situated on the west end
OF Main street. All efforts to arouse him
were fruitiess, and the discovery OF two
empty two.ounce laudanum vials by bis side
revealed the fact that he had poisoned him.
self. The city ambulance was at once sum-
moned and Schmidt removed to the aims
house, wbere he partially recovered, ac-'
know lodged that he took the fatal draught,
and subsequently died from apoplectic ef-
fec's superinduced by laudanum at an early
hour yesterd,y morning.
The train OF sad circumstances which led
TO the degradation OF this poor man, and
finally TO the taking OF his own life, Is the
more unfortunate since il had Its origin on
the field OF battle during the late war while
IN the patriotic defence OF his adopted State
and country. John Schmidt came to this
country from Wurtemberg. Germany, and
settled in Richmond some thirty years
ago. He engaged in the butcher busi-
ness, and was an industrious, Well
to.dol citizen. He lived with William
Lynhlm, ST., then butcher In the Second
Mirket, and az another time carried on
prosperous butcher business for himself IN
the same market. He enlisted in the Con-
federate army duriug the late war, and Is
Represented to have been GOOD soldier.
lie received a severe sabre-wound on the
head. which i. said 10 have been the cause
OF endless trouble to him ever since,
as it decidedly impaired his faculties
OF mind and rendered bin so light-neaded
that a small amount or stimulant anecteh
bim most unfortunately; so that for years
he has been generally regarded as an unfor'
tunate topeI. Those who knew him bet
Ter. however, saw that the poor fellows
mind had been seriously impaired by the
wound he received, and that small
amount Of drink served to aggravate the
disorder.
At the time OF the recent occurrences
which led to the rash act by which
he took bis own life Schmidt had
been working at the Tredegar, and II is said
lived in Sidney. It appears tnat Mr.. Martin
Oeters, who keeps proysiOn-store at I22
west Cary street, having lost n quantity OF
meat, on last week instituted watch, and
John Schmidt was detected in the act OF
stealing meat and arrested. He was tried
at the Police Court on two charges OF steal
ing last Saturday,, and Justice Richardson
which were administered. Before Inc
penalty Of the law was carried out,
however, Schmidt, who seemed greatly
grieved and mortified, begged for mercy,
and said he could not live il such disgrace
were put upon him; he would kill himself.
He was out of his mind, he SAID, wheG he
committed the offence, but prayed to be
sent TO the penitentiary rather than be
whipped. Indeed, he told the officers that
he was ready TO swear that he had broken
into the house in the hope that he would be
sent TO the States prison. On Saturday he
came to the Dispatch office and requested
that on account OF his children his name be
omitted from the Police Court proceedings.
He dreaded to bave his two daughters ana
son publicly branded with such disgrace
as had been visited upon their father.
The sequence has already been told. lie
preferred death at his own hands rather
tban live to bear the burning shame Of so
deep a disgrace. Poor fellow his lot was
sad and unfortunate one, and it is To be
hoped that his sutferlEgs are now ended,
and that be has found in another world that
peace which can never be found here.
The Coroner viewed the body yesterday,
and deemed an inquest unnecessary. Tne
remains were taken charge OF by his friends.