The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-26
LOCAL MATTERS.


= xo,rxc utS rAxEs nts lIFE N TIE PRES.
exce or ms LADY LOVE, WHO HAD FAILED
40 neouITE MS IovE--Two SUICIDES IN
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
gentleman who arrived in the city yes
ferdav furnishes the "details OF most tragic
rna distressing suicide, which occurred
Monday uight at tho residence Of Mr..
Iose,,I Al. Hlanton, In Cumberland county.
Tl.e particulars Of the sad affair are In sub
stance Is follows: A young man named
Richwd Kirk. from Mobile, Ala, who had
lately graduated from the University OF
North Carolina, had been for some time
past paying his deyoirs 10 Miss Kate Fairs,
Also OF Mobile. The parents Of the young
lady objected to his attentions, and IN
order 10 put stop 10 them sent her on q
visit TO Mr.. Blanton, who is relative or
connection of the Faris family. Inc
Young man, Il seems, determined not 10 De
fhwarted, and started from Mobile last
week 10 seek his love in Virginia. Arrived
nj FarmyiIle. he drove TO Mr.. Blmton's
horse. seven miles distant, on Monday
morning last. His reception by the object
of MS affections, Il Is presumed, was any
thing hut favorable, for he left Mr.. Blan-
toms very precipitately, and, returning 10
Falmville, was observed TO indulge quite
freely In strong drink.
During the early afternoon, il is said, he
went 70 n gunsnith named Baker, pro-
cured pistol, when he got Baker 10 load
for him. He then hired team from Smith
sons livery stable, taking with him COZ
ored man named George Digs, and drove
back 10 MIR. Blanton's house, IL was then
late in the afternoon, and the gentleman OF
the house observing his excited condition
10 s.,,1 ,aA 70 oil
lady 10 see him. He was, however, finally
announced. but Miss Faris would only con-
sent 10 see him in company with Miss VIII
lie Blanton. The two young ladies ac-
cordingly went 10 the parlor, and
ont OF abundant caution Mr.. Blanton
ACCOMPANIED them. They had scarce
ly entered when Kirk whispered TO
Miss Faris, and she requested Mr.. Blanton
TO retire. Mr. Blanton withdrew TO the
hall, where ne walked up and down near at
hand rs il fearing some trouble. In few
moments the report OF pistol was heard.
Rushing into the parlor Mr.. BlantOn be-
held Miss Faris lying on the floor. lie
picked her up and carried her to the sofa
under the impression that she had been
shot. lie soon found she bad only swoOn-
ed, 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, going directly
through the head, had passed out of the left
ear.
The news of this fearfnl tragedy was not
generally known in Farmvlle until yester-
day, and, as might naturally be supposed,
has thrown a gloom over the entire com
munty. The friends OF the unfortunate
young man were promptly telegraphcd to,
and it is presumed will promptly convey
his remains TO Alabama.
Intelligence OF another suicide was OBJ
tanned from the same source. 1t appears
that Elijah G. Iludgins, farmer living in
Cumberland county below the Courthouse,
committed suicide last week at his residence
by cutting his throat from ear TO ear. lie
died instantly. Domestic trouble was pro-
baby the cause OF the rash act, the de-
ceased having separated from his wife.