The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-22
A Sad Death.

A Sad Death. -4ss5tszs :
One of the saddest occurrences we have
ever been called upon to chronicle was the
death of young JEFF Maddux, son OF Martin
Maddux, ESQ.,, ct his fathers home near Mos
COW, in this county, on Wednesday evening Of
last week. For years the youth, who was only
sixteen years old, had been suffering from bad
health which was not only very painful at
times, but had, to degree, impaired his mind
and rendered him respondent. Whilst in
these melancholy moods, he had frequently
stated that he was tired of life, that the future
had little promise for him, and that the sooner
he was out of his pain the better it would be
for him. So decided had these expressions
been of late that the family watched his move
ments closely less some harm should befall
him. On the evening of his death he had
seemed unusually cheerful, and after eating
his supper, went out about the barn. Pretty
soon he was missed, and search instituted
for him. The servants failing TO find him
about the premises, his mother went to his
room. Upon entering the door, she saw moth
ing of him, and started out again. Just then
it occurred to her that possibly in playful
mood he had hidden from her. She returned
to the room, and, looking under the bed, dis
covered her child lying prone upon the floor
in pool of his own blood The terrible
shock rendered her UNCONSCIOUS almost in
stantly.
firH Tpcf A Mills
held an inquest, constable G. S. Byers sum-
moning the following jury, viz: Col. $. A.
East DR.. e. D. Kunkel, r. C. Blair, John H.
Hanger, G. w. Swink, W. @. Cochran, FL. T.
Billy. After an examination, the jury rem
dered the following verdict:
That the said Jefferson D. Maddux came to
his death, on the 18th of June, from the effects
of a pistol ball fired by his own hand
From the position of the body, it was sup
posed that the deceased had stood before the
looking glass, and, taking pistol in his right
hand, placed it directly over his temple and
fired The ball passed entirely through his
head, struck the frame of his fathers photo
graph which was hanging against the wall.
and, rebounding, lodged in young Madduxs
hat lying on the marble. slab of the bureau.
He had fallen straight backwards, with his
feet just under the edge of the bureau. When
discovered, his arms were extended, with the
pistol but few inches from his right hand.
JEFF was a bright, generous hearted, affec-
tonate boy, full of noble impulses, and until
disease had made inroads upon his constitu-
I, # n ucnfvt 1ifn Hic
parents were more than devoted to him, for
their natural affection was intensified by the
| knowledge that their son was frequent SUI
ferer from il-health.. The terrible blow of this
sad death to those who were near and dear to
| him, was almost too much to bear, but if it
will assuage the grief of those afflicted ones to
know that the tenderest sympathy is felt for
| them by the entire community, certainly there
will be comfort in their mourning.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECTFUL the annual meet
ing of the Alumni Association OF the New
Market Polytechnic Institute, recently held in
| New Market, the President, G. Homer Bow
man, ESQ in his address, made a touching al
usondo the death of John Paul, late Deputy
Treasurer of Augusta county, A committee
composed OF DR.. Halter H. Henkel, of Staun-
ton, Elon o. Henkel, of New Market, and G..
E. Graves, of Seville, reported the following
tribute of respect to Mr.. Paul, which was
adopted by the Association:
| WHEREAS, in the mysterious wisdom of
God John Paul, Esq, has been stricken down
by death in the vigor Of young manhood, and
WHEREAS We knew HIM whilst in atten-
dance at the Polytechnic Institute, as a close
student possessed of a clear, bright and incis-
| i've intellect. to which he united the graces OF
an amiable character and the unassuming man
ncrs of gentleman,
Resoloed. That, at this, our first meeting
since his demise, we learn of his death with
profound sorrow. and regret the loss of him
who was the first to be separated by death from
our Alumni Association, of which he was re-
spected member.
Reso1oed, That a copy of this preamble and
of these resolutions be furnished the bereaved
parents, and that the New Market and Staun-
ton newspapers be requested to publish them,
or make such statements in regard to them as
may be deemed proper. 's'a