Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-11-18
THE CLEVELAND Suicide.


and Buried.
The body Of the unfortunate man, J. B.
Tinslsy. who committed suicide by shoot
ing himself, at Cleveland, Thursday, as re-
lated in . special to the CHRONICLE, was
brought to this place on a delayed
train early yesterday morning, and was
buried in Gray Cemetery yesterday after
noon, about l O'Clock, attended by friends
of the deceased.
Mr.. Tinsley was man of about 80 years
of age, and has been resident of our city
for about two years, and lived at the time of
his death, in the brick house on State street,
between Clinch and Church, the same house
being also occupied by Mr..
l. L. Baber. He is native
of South Carolina, but left his home when
about seventeen years of age, and came to
Sewer County, to live with an uncle. He
was married to Miss Goforth, daughter of
the well known boatman of this city, Mr.
Goforth, and his wife and one child survive
him. They have one child dead.
For several years Mr.. Tinsley has been
engaged quite extensively in dealing in and
shipping stock South, and was looked upon
as successful man in the business, and was
regarded as a straightforward, honorable
man, by those who had dealings with him.
he was given, however, to dissipation to
some extent, and it is thought by some that
he had been of late addicted
to gambling, though whether this
is true We do not know He was
away from home most of the time, and, at
any rate, he became involved in debt in
some way.
To one man, Mr.. McBrien, of Sewer
County, he owed 800 borrowed money, as
we are informed, and Mr. McBrien was
pushing him for its payment. Las,
Monday Mr.. McBrien was in the city,
and Mr.. Tinsley started with him
to Cleveland, with the avowed intention OF
fixing up the matter. They stopped at Mr..
Tinsley's fathers. who lives about three
miles below Charleston.
The account of the final transaction AND
the tragedy is thus related in Cleveland
special to the Chattanooga Times
They arrived last Tuesday morning, il
company with the latter's father. Tinsley
seemed very nervous, and refused to tall
with his most intimate friends, but was
seen talking in very excited manner to his
father and McBrien on several occasions
| To-day about l o'clock he walked into
Craigmile's bank, and presented a note fol-
| $4,000, with the name of his father, Nc
Brien's and his own signed to it. The
bank officials Immediately pronounced il
forgery, and had Tinsley arrested TO,
| the purpose of investigation. Tinsley be
came very much excited after his arrest
and stepping up to the officer who arrested
him, he asked permission to go into tn,
water closet. He went out to the rear O
the bank and stepped into the water-closet
Just as he closed the door he jerked out hi
pistol, and, placing it against his temple
fired. The bullet passed entirely through
his head and came out just above the RICH
ear, killing him instantly.
Mrs. Tinsley, the unfortunat mans wife
has been afflicted with heart disease, and i
very delicate health for some time, and th
appalling intelligence, when communicate
to her, was severe shock, indeed. Sh
was afraid she could not stan
the further shock of seeing IL
remains in their CHASTITY condition, ar
the body was not brought to the house, n,
was the coffin opened. Mrs. Tinsley VI
completely Frustrated on the reception
the news, and has been unable to be O
since. In her sad affection she has the syn
pathies of all.
The remains were accompanied here
the unfortunate mans father and Mr. M
Brien, who left for home early yesterd,
morning.
We were unable to ascertain the exs
amount or condition of the deceased's
bilities. He had no money about hum
the time of his suicide.