The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-05-24
JUDGE REHnD's SUICIDE.

MT. STEELYG, KY, May 16.-Friends
and relatives have been coming all
day to the residence of Richard Reid
to comfort the sick and distressed, and
to pay the last solemn devoirs to the
dead. All day there has been an un-
wonted quiet, and people seem to at
tend to their business with a listless,
nonchalant air that betokens q deep
feeling Of abstraction and sorrow. 1t
is fact, and was generally remarked,
that for days prior to the Judges
death, he was in feature and in bear
ing but the semblance of his former
self. Deep circlets of dark haloed his
eyes. His face had lost somewhat of
its fullness. In walking hecarried his
head down in a most unusual manner.
Wednesday. he seated himself in the
midst of a small crowd of people in
the court house yard, and sat for sew
eral minutes without saying a word,
showing listlessness of manner that
was noticed by all present. The night
before his death he was out several
miles from town canvassing, in emo
pany with H. NJ. Woodford, our Coun-
ty Attorney. He stated to him that
since the attack on him by Corneilson
he had not slept a half-dozen hours.
He gave vent to words that expressed
his deep detection. He remarked,
among other things, that if there had
TO be killing he would rather it be him
self than his assailant.
Corneilson received the intelligence
of Reid's death with blanched cheek
and faltering voice. God only knows
the fearful effect which those words
had upon him. Being advised to GO
home, as his presence might cause
some disturbance, he protested, but
said he would go in q few minutes
Later he went to his home.
There was not much feeling here
against him. Most people believe that
he is an honest man, and that if he
did err in his conclusions as to the
guilt of Reid, he did no more than q
man having the strongest circum
stances to judge from would have
done. If his conclusions were sucf
as would reasonably have created tht
impression on his mind OF his friend'l
guilt, and which would have induced
any man of ordinary intelligence t.
have assaulted his defamer, it is giver
as the opinion of one of our best law
yers here that his actions were some
what pardonable. None doubted hi
courage. He showed how deeply h
considered the modification whicl
the words Of a Courts opinion cause,
him.
Your correspondent has seen an
talked with him frequently, and til
tenor OF his words was about what h.
considered the greatest grievance Al
honest man could bear. He has sui
fered greatly, judging from disappear
ance-the sunken, lacklustre eye, tn
the hollow check, with its ghastl
whiteness.
He left on the east-bound midnigh
train for his distant destination las
night. Few know that he is absen
Only one or two recognized the lon
passenger on his solitary journey. Hi
wife and children were left benin
him. He has eight children the oldes
of whom is fourteen.
| The Judges of the Appellate an
Superior Courts will be Reid's pal
bearers, and the funeral is to tax
place at the family residence to-mo
row at 3 O'Clock p. m. The Chess
peake and Ohio Railroad have mad
arrangements for special car
leave here after the funeral service
for Lexington and points below for tn
benefit of those who desire I
attend and return home the sam
evening.