Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-03-23
DISCOURAGED.
An Esteemed Citizen, on Account OF roo-
Health. Commits Suicide.

Health, Commits Sulc1ue.
BENJAMIN Franklin Huntly. resident
of Sacramento since 1858, and one OF the
best-known members of the Typographical
fraternity on the coast, committed SUICIDE
last Saturday at his room in the Union
Hotel. For several months he had been IN
poor health, and, his condition showing no
indications of improvement, thefact seemed
| to weigh upon his mind, and lately he mas
| limited to friends that he was determined
not to die lingeringly Saturday evening,
about o'clock, ?. S. Watson ana ); ).
| Curry called at his room to see MN. Ills
sickness had not confined him 10 MS pea,
but from long habit, consequent upon ms
employment on morning newspaper II
was customary for him to sit up late at
! night and remain in bed until late
next day. He had not been seen
about the hotel on Saturday, and
it was thought that perhaps he
was not as well as usual, and had not got
up. When his room was entered he was
found seated in rocking CHAIR IN iron5
of the mirror of bureau, his head and
face covered with blood, which was flowing
from a shocking wound in his right TEN,
pie, while a bulldog revolver IN his hand
gave evidence that the wound was sell
inflicted He was still alive, but uncon-
scious and moaning constantly. doctors
were summoned and everything done Tor
him that was practicable, but there was no
hope of saving his life. Death ensued
about o'clock yesterday morning 1t is
thought that the shot was fired about l2;30
p NJ Saturday, as it was remembered that
the sound of pistol was heard about that
time 1t was evident that Mr. Huntly. IN
these the closing moments OF his LIE, had
acted with the cool determination that al
ways characterized his conduct. Three let
tiers, two of which were written on the 18th,
were placed where they would attract at
tention, and, after he had arranged his
affairs, he seated himself where he could
see that his pistol was aimed at a vital spot,
and fired. One of the letters was without
date, and was addressed on the envelope, i'll
a steady hand, ITO Whom 1t May Con-
Germ" 1t read as follows:
Ihaye come to the conclusion that person
who has no one dependent upon him. and who
would be a burden to his friends and relatives
the balance of his life, should cease to live.
After coming to the conclusion that l shall
never be able to support myself have made up
my mind to quit this world and try another.
Goodby. b. +. HUNTLY.
One OF. the other letters was directed to
the Trustees of Industrial Lodge, |. o. 0.
F., of which he was a member, and was
virtually will, as it directed the disposal
of his property and effects, requesting that,
after paying certain debts, which he
enumerated, everything be sent to his
sister, in the lower portion of the State
or, if she was not living, then to a married
sister residing in Michigan. All his finan-
cial matters were spoken of clearly, includ-
ing some debts due him, which he directed
to be forgiven if the parties were unable to
pay without distress. The other letter was
directed to Mr.. Curry, who was an intimate
friend:
suppose this is the last thing I shall ever
write. l have been lingering along for some
months and have come to the conclusion shall
never be able to do any more work, and think
it better to stop the wheels than try to keep
them moving. l don't wish the Lodge
or my friends to be obliged TO support me for a
great length of time-perhaps .years-when
there is no likelihood of my ever being able to/
do anything for myself. So good-by. Il
Mr. Huntly was native of the State of
New York, and 56 years of age. He has
lived in Sacramento during most of his
residence on the coast, though for while
he was a resident of Virginia City. He
was man of answering principle, posi-
tive in his opinions, but very modest in
expressing them. A great reader, possessed
of an excellent memory and the intelli-
what he read. he became remarkably well
informed upon current events as well as
matters of history. His kindly spirit was
proverbial, and scores of his fellow-crafts-
men and others will bear witness to the
fact that his purse was always open TO as
sist a needy friend or to do an act of
charity. During his long residence in Sac
ramento he has been principally employed
upon the Union and the RECORD MON as
compositor and at times as assistant fore
man, and was conceded to be a very COM
petent workman. He was at one time con-
nected with the publication of another
paper in the city, but it did not prove sue
cess. For some months he has done little
work, as he was suffering from trouble
with his stomach and kidneys, and
hoped that a long rest would be beneficial.
Evidently he became satisfied that the dis
ease was too firmly seated to be overcome,
and determined to end his pains and an
noyances at once. lie was not out of funds
having several hundred dollars remaining
of his earnings, and also the benefits from
his Lodge but the letters he left show what
was passing i'll his mind. Being member
of the Odd Fellows Mutual Aid Associa-
ton, his sister will be entitled to receive
81 900 from that institution.
Coroner Clark, after inquiring into the
circumstances of the death and reading the
letters left, has become convinced that an
inquest is unnecessary. The day of hold
ing the funeral had not been decided upon
last evening, as an effort was being made
to communicate with his sister on the
subject.