Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-06-03
Suicide in Bath COuntw.

We published the fact last week of the
suicide of Mrs Stephen Baldwin, of Bath
county. From the Highland Recorder, we
copy the particulars Of that sad event as
follows:
"On Thursday, the 22nd inst, the wife
of Stephen Baldwin, Esq, residing at the
old Dangerfeld place, known as Rock
Spring, about two and a half miles from
Warm Springs and on the road leading to
the Hot, committed suicide by hanging her
self to a rafter in the house.
The circumstances attending the sad oc-
currence are as follows: On the morning of
the day referred to, Mr.. Baldwin started to
Millboro' with bis team, taking his little
boy along at the suggestion Of his wife.
Mrs. Baldwin went about her work as
usual. She seat her two little girls to her
sisters, Mrs. Woodzell, who lives not far
away, and then did the milking, and, leav-
ing the milk on the kitchen table, got a
rope and went up stairs. One end of it
she fastened around her neck and getting
upon her chest, drew the other end over q
rafter and secured it, then stepped from
the chest.
When one Of the little girls, who was
sent back to tell her mother to come also
and spend the day, arrived, she was dead.
The child, too young to comprehend the
dreadfulness Of the situation, talked to the
lifelesS form, and when she did not answer.
began crying piteously Some carpenters,
who were working near by, were attracted
by the child. They came at once to the
scene, and cut down the body, but life was
extinct.
On the fatal morning, she seemed more
cheerful than usual and no one suspected
her OF being insane, but since the dreadful
occurrence, many Of those with whom she
came in acontct could remember things
which size had said and done, pointing con-
clusively to the fact that her mind was Sc
riously impaired.
Mrs. Baldwin, we Learn, was most
amiable woman, aged about 80 to 80, the
mother Of three interesting children, and
was greatly respected.
Coincident with this occurrence may be
mentioned the fact that within the past
forty years no less than five murders and
suicides have been committed III the imme-
diate neighborhood of Rock Spring"
Appearances indicate the nomination of
Mr.. 1ildsn at Chicago in July. The DEM
ocrats of New York, it is believed, will be
solid, or nearly so, in his support; and the
thorough union of all the Democratic fac
lions in that State that have hitherto been
warning upon each other, give assurance
that the vote of New York will be cast in
November for the Democratic candidates.
Gov. Cleveland, it is said, is working for
Tilden, (and he should know whether or
not that gentleman will consent to be a
candidate,) and would not be likely to
make blunder in matter that may vitality
affect his own politca future. A telegram
from New York says:
KIT is stated by a gentleman high in Dem
ocratic councils this evening that Cleve-
land has been pledged to denomination,
which had the effect of satisfying the Gov
ernor's aspirations. Erie and two other
railroads are also included in the arrange
ment, SO that it is argued that it will be
the next thing to impossibility to defeat
Mr.. Tilden in this State. There is an i'm
portant meeting Of Eastern Democratic
leaders to be held at the Manhattan Club
in the course of the next three or four
days, when the programme Of the cam
paign will be mapped ont and submitted to
a committee of the Iriquos Club, of Chi
cago, for their approval"
Tilden will undoubtedly get the nomina-
ton, if he wants it, or would accept; and
the indications are that he will accept, and
that his nomination will unite the party
thoroughly in New York and elsewhere,
aud give reasonable assurance of the tri-
umph of the Democracy in November
Lynchbwg Vuyini,n.