The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-05-22
A SAD SUICIDE.

Judge Richard Reid, who was Cowhided
by John J. CorneiIson mt Mt. sterling. KY
GOadsd to Desperation by RefiectiOns on
His Personal Courage, TUrns His Hand
Upon Himself and Dies n Suicides DEATH
LOUISVILLE, KY, May 10.
A sensation was caused yesterday by
the suicide of Superior Judge Richard
Reid at Mt. Sterling, Ky. on the 10th
of April Judge Reid was cowhIded by
John J. CorneilsOn, prominent barristcr,
in his law Office at Mt. Sterling. Cor
nelson accused the distinguished
jurist of duplicity in an important
lawsuit, and attacked him upon
that score. Judge Reid made
no resistance, and failed afterward to
call him to account, although importuned
to do so by his wife and many of his
friends. lie wrote a card at the time,
in which he defined his action by de-
clariug that he considered IL beneath
his judicial dignity and unbecomtng
a Christian to seek redress in a
course was approved. Others charged
him with lack of manly courage.
His wife, who is q high-bred and high
spirited woman, as well as a most ann
bilious one, is charged with having re-
buked him bitterly. 1t is said she threat
tileI 10 SuOOL NOIUtllSOA utASNlAr AZ
these things weighed upon the spirit OF
the jurist and to-day the affair
ended in pitiablc tragedy. lie
killed himself at nine O'Clock this morn
ing He walked into the Office
of Judge BreCk, at Mt. Sterling,
and told the Judge that he was suffering
from a severe headache, and would like
to go upstairs and lie down. Judge
Breck told him to go ahead, and thought
no more about it, but went out into the
street, and after the lapse of an hour went
upstairs TO wash his hands and was hor-
ried upon discovering Judge Reid dying,
stretched out on the floor, his head lying
in n pool of blood and 3S-calibcr Smith
& Wesson pistol on the floor by his side.
lie Immediately gave the alarm, and IN
few moments the people nocked TO tRj
Office to view the sad scene.
A BULLET IN THE BRAIN.
1t Is believed that Judge Reid stood up
before the lOOking-glass, put the piston
behind his right ear and fired, falling at
full length on his back. The ball had
passed straight through his brain, and
struck the wall some distance from him.
Coroner Jesse Orcar was called in, and
summoned the following jury; VIM. Nit
chcll, DR.. G. w. Harris, w. ). Thomas,
A. J. Rawlings, w. II. Fletcher and b. +.
Wyatt, their verdict being that he came
to his death from "A pistol shot fired by
MS OWL HdIu. i hC loiibNAhA- llbNAY WIZ
ten on the back Of a business card, was
found ON the bureau in Judge Brcck's
room:
Mad, mad; forgive me, dear wife, and
love the boy"
Il is not signed, but it is i'm the hand
writing of Judge Reid. II is n singular
fact that no one heard the report Of the
pistol The weapon used by Judge Reid
was one he kept at his house, but never
carried, and appeared to have Just been
| loaded.
THE GRIEF-sTRICKEN WIFE.
The family can hardly stand up under
this blow. His wife is at home sick, and
received the sad news with almost un-
bcarable grief. The people stand in
groups ana wonder why man so bright
and well beloved should resort TO this de-
plOrable act.
lie had been out on an electlonccriuG
tour over the district and returned only
three days ago. His friends met him
here, and after a consultation and tho
laying out of work, he started out among
those with whom nc had been raised
with bright hopes inspiring the thought
that he would be the nominee of tho
party. This morning early he could be
seen mixing with his fellow men, shaking
hands and urging them to come to the
polls and give him their support His
mind was clear, and he used convincing
itdSolo W ny buCJ 54lCHAu 5i'' MN IAANAA
votes.
SORROWING FRIENDS.
Colonel II. l.. Stone, his law partner,
entered the Inflated room, fell on his
knees by the side of Judge Reid, and
! wcpt bitterly. His aged mother, who
has stood up under many sorrows,
came to the room and broke down
with grief Friends and foes To his
candidacy ali alike gathered about the
entrance of the room where lay the
| body of Judge Reid, pale with excite
mcnt and sick with the scene that
! lay on the floor. Business IS sus-
| pended and men are congrcgatcd every
| where with this only topic before them.
! The cowhiding occurred on April l6,
and the public is familiar with the details.
| The newspaper controversy over the ai-
! fair has continued since that time, and
! Reid was urged by many to Kill the man
who had so Outragcously insulJcd him.
! So perplcXing was his situation, and so
! humiliating the position I'm which
! he was placed, that it Is the opinion
! Of many that the disgrace prcycd
/ constantly on his mind. The tragic
result of the unfortunate controversy has
completely dazcd the public. There are
many loud expressions Of condemnation
| Of COrneilson, and his position is a thor
| oughly uncnviable one. Judge Richard
! Reid was one Of the most popular poll
! tcians in the eastern part Of the state
! lie was elected to the Superior Court last
| wear, and at the time of his death was