Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-03-13
SUICIDE FOR LOVE.

dynamite scare disappeared from our COM
munitY, when it was shocked to hear of the
distressing suicide. which occurred near
the Virginia Porcelain Works." situated
about five miles south of this place,
Thursday night, of Miss Belle Martin, a
young lady, residing with her married sis
ter, Mrs. Thomas Conner, together with
her mother, who is widow. Mr.. Thos.
Conner is blacksmith employed at che
Works. Some eighteen months ago, il
seems an employee of the s. V. Il. r. had
been quite attentive to Miss Martin, but
from some cause his visits suddenly ceased,
and shortly afterwards his marriage was
announced in the Staunton papers. Since
Miss M. has been cognizant of this fact,
she has been in very low spirits, seeming
much depressed, and extremely melan-
choly. On Thursday evening last, there
were some youag people gathered at Mr..
Corners house, when some of those pres.
ent began to tease Miss Martin about
some OF the young men who were expected
during the evening, which seemed to dis
please her very much, and she suddenly
left the room.
Some time afterwards one of the family
went to look for her, and going to her
room found it empty. Proceeding to the
room of her mother, il was also found to
be vacant, but a loaded pistol, that lay al
ways upon the mantel was missing, which
fact aroused suspicion, and an alarm was
raised at once and search begun in every
direction for the young lady. The we'll
was examined but with no results, and
finally about two O'Clock in the morning
the body of Miss Martin was found about
hundred yards from the house, lying in
the brush, cold and stiff, with a bullet
hole in the left breast. the pistol-a self
cooking one-with one chamber empty,
lying upon the ground by her side.
Miss M. was young lady about TWEEN
ty-four years Of age, possessing very pleas
ing manners and an attractive person and
of highly sensitive character. Facts and
incidents related in connection with her
department for several months past, con-
vince every one that she was almost de-
mented at times. A long letter to her
mother was found in her bosom, written
in pencil, which was commenced in bold
fine hand, but as the writer proceeded the
sentences gradually became disconnected,
finally terminating, with the exception of
the last sentence. in perfect incoherence,
indicating clearly how terribly the poor
girls mind was wandering just prior to
the commission of the fatal deed. The fol-
lowing is a portion of the letter, the re-
mainder being omitted, both on account
of its vagueness and for reasons of a
private nature
LETTER.
MY DEAR NoTHER.-Do you believe
God will forgive me if will kill myself :?
I am tired of my life, and do not believe
that l can be any worse off when I am
dead. If God does not forgive me, will
then have to 60 to torment. Oh mother,
won't that be an awful thing to 60 where
will have to be burned ? But 1 hope
that God will forgive me. Oh mother,
always pray when l 60 to bed, maybe he
will hear my prayers and answer them, for
do want to go to Heaven to my dear
father, for know he has gone to Heaven
to dwell with Jesus evermore.
AS for ---I don't think God will
forgive him as long Dis he lives. Mother
hate to leave You all, but can't stay
here another day. Mother. would like
to see my brothers and sisters once more
before l go. I want to be buried
out where father is, but don't let it be as
much trouble as they had about bin, for 1
do not want to be any trouble. Don't you
all grieve for me when 1 am gone. am
dying for one will never see any more on
earth again, and the one that we were
talking about at the supper table. If 1
could but die in his arms I would be hap
py once more. Mother will you all please
keep me out of the ground two days? I
want you to have my nice black dress and
jersey put on me when you lay me out, and
please get white tie for me. Il
May God have mercy on me and hear my
prayers tonight. Dear mother farewell
forever more on earth. hope to meet you
all in better land. will close with
good night IS kiss to one and all. \
am coming Lord to thee.
~ To MY MOTHER.
An inquest was held by Justices J. W.
Churehman and z. A. Highland, the fol-
lowing jury being summoned by Consta-
BILE Curd-C. d. Brand, II. G. Kindig,
James Langdon, J. D. England, j. M.
Daniel, J. H. Rankin and J. B. Hamlin.
After hearing the evidence the jury re.
turned verdict that the deceased came
to her death by self-inflicted wound
The deceased was tall and rather fine
looking gill about twenty FIVE years of
age. She formerly resided in Staunton
and while she was in that city m ade an un-
successful attempt to kill herself by drink
ing laudanum. That attempt was also
caused by disappointment. When Miss
Martin left Stanton after that, she left
a trunk of clothing at Frank Wares which
is still there. and whlsh her relative can
get, Ed. Vindicator.
REV. F. M'CUTCHAN'S DEPARTURE,
With the meeting of the congregation
of the Presbyterian church Sunday, their
action, together with the fact that Rev
Frank McCutchan had received fatter
ing call to Glade Spring, the people O
Wayneshoro began to realize that they
were about to lose the services of one o.
the best ministers that ever has been with
US. Rev. Frank McCutchan has bad charge
of the Presbyterian church of Waynesbore
for the past twelve years. Coming fresh
from the Theological Seminary, he at once
began to apply himself steadily and indus
triously to his vocation. To his indefati