San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-11-24
4 PgCULIAR SUICIDE.
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From the Nss yorh sun


eide Of Mr.. VIM. F. O. Gregory in this
city on Thursday, is regarded by all
Who knew him and who knew bis cir.
eumstsnces in life. ~ being 80 very 70.
msrkable as 10 deserve more than mere
tslegraphic announcement. Having
known him well for two years or more,
and being, as fellow.boarder. init.
mately acquainted with the facts. I think
I am not mistaken in regarding them
as extraordinary. He was 81 years Of
age, the son and only child Of highly
respected parents, Of Richmond, Va.
His father, of the same name, is n mem.
Der OF the bar Of some eminence, and
in good practice. Both father and
mother. os happen to know, loved the
son with devotion amounting almost
to idolatry. He had held the position
Of shipping clerk" in the folding.room
Of the House Of Representatives for
three years. This had afforded him q
competent support, and enabled him in
his leisure hours to read law and attend
the lectures Of the Columbian Univer.
sity, from which institution he gradu.
sted at the commencement in the early
summer. He was singularly free from
every vice, and was scrupulous attend
ant upon the services of the church
the Presbyterian-in which he was
reared. And, best Of all, he illustrated
the genuiness Of his Christian princi-
pies by the integrity and purity of his
life, and by the gentleness, sweetness,
and modesty of his manners in his
daily intercourse with others. It is so
rare to see young men with lives SO
stainless, and with manners SO lovable,
that it was impossible not to admire,
and almost wonder at the perfection of
his character.
Within five or six weeks he had com.
planned OF being unwell. His physician
prescribed for malaria poison, and en-.
joined on him to avoid the hot sun and
the night air. He acted on this advice,
and seemed careful of his health but
lost only one or two days from his Off
cial duties. Some of the boarders now
think that they have for some time no.
tlced eccentricities in his conduct. but
l have heard of no word spoken by
him that indicated alteration of mind
not even to the last moment. Thurs.
day last he went to the Capitol and per.
formed his daily round of duties, con-
slsting in making a record or entry Of
tne documents sent of, and to whom
sney are sent. My attention was called
To-Day to the last entry made by him,
which, contrary to his custom, as the
book shows, he UNDERSIGNED, as if to
mark the end Of his life's work. He
tnsn walked away from tho Capitol in
company with friend who is employed
IN the same Office. They went up Penn
sylVanla avenue as far as Tenth street.
where they separated, Mr.. Gregory say.
ing, Good by-it may be forever" His
friend said, mo, not forever, but till
tomorrow morning." to which Mr..
ufegory answered, "Well, may be, till
Tomorrow, then" He then turned into
lenth street, and entered the Office of
the Washington Post, and having paid
nls subscription to that paper, it is as
ceftalned that he next stepped into a
store, under the same roof, where fire.
arms are sold, and bought pistol with
cartridges, paying 81 30 for it. It was
the first shown him, and he declined to
LOOK at another, saying the one first Of
Tered would answer. his purpose. This
was about 4 o'clock, or q little later.
Inc boarding house is at the corner of
y and Third streets, half a mile dis.
tant' where he appeared punctually to
ainner at o'clock, and after the dinner
Dell rang he stepped up to the landlady |
with a smile and paid her the months
ooard' he then seated himself at the
table and ate dinner as usual, though
without speaking, except when spoken
70. A lady opposite to him inquired
AFTER his health, remarking. II suppose
you don't feel as strong as Samson yet"
de replied, mo, 1 could not pull down |
. temple" These we're his last words.
1 sat on his left, and asked him to help
me to the butter. which he did Int |