The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-21
DELIBERATE SUICIDE.
Tragic Death of Capt. Weir, of the
Army.

NEW YORK, July 20.-tapt. Gulian
Verplsnck Weir, commanding battery
NJ, Fifth Artillery, at Fort Hamilton,
committed suicide Sunday evening by
shooting himself through the heai.
The circumstances of the trsg dy are
peculiarly sad. Capt, Weir returned
from a weeks tour Of duly at Greed
moor Saturday afternoon. His entire
family, consisting of wife and four
daughters and sons, were at the wharf
to meet him. Before his departure he
had complained of q serious bronchial
affection, but as he on his return aG-
fectionately greeted each of his
loved ones he assured them that
his health was much better, and
that he was sure he had conquered
the disease. The Captain slep5 well
during Saturday night, aud arose ap.
parently refreshed. The morning was
passed reading newspapers and chat
ting with the members of his family.
Throughout the day it was noticed
that hs appeared unusually gay.
Never had he seemed go witty or
shown more affection. Immediately
after dinner, which was concluded
about 80 o'clock, the Captain sud-
denly hurried to his bedroom. He
bad been gone but a moment, when
his little daught r, Annie, followed
him to get match, She was aston
ished to find her father preparing to
retire.
"Why, papa" she asked, "you are
not going 10 bed ye', are your
Never mind, dear" was the rather
nervous response. what do you
wsnt?"
"Oh, l only wanted match, " lisped
the little one, having procured which
she hurried below Scarcely had she
reached the lower floor, when the
family were star led by the sound of a
gun from above. MIS-. Weir, followed
by two OF her daughters, rushed up
stairs. They found the door Of the
Captains room licked. Passing
around to another room door was
found open.
On entering the chamber they cav
the husband and father stretched upol
The bed, undre SD with The exception
Of a stocking on the rig foot. b ODD
YVES streaming from an ugly wound i'll
the iegou of the heart. Upon the
floor lay iody.fve cllib3r S SPRINGFIELD
Iille, with the bgrral emit g and the
hammer dove. The captain VS.
grooming and paspirg for breath.
Throwing herself upon the body OF
her husband, Ms, Weir begged some
one to gofor adoctor. Surgeon II RS
hoG OF the ger iso7, wag speedily
summonad, but before his arrival
Cap. Weir was dead. The news OF
the tragedy spread quickly. Soon
the residence, which stands only
a few yards from the bar
racks, was crowded by officers
aud friends. Col. Hamilton, the com.
mander of the fort, gave directions as
10 the disposition of the body, and
then he and Judge Church soulht to
discover the cause. They concluded
that it was case of suicide du ing a
m ment of temporary alteration. 1t
had been noticed for several months
not only in the Captains femily, but
by bis superors end subo dino'es in
the garrison thst his disease caused
him to appear hiehty at time7. On
examination OF the Surroundings it
was found that the deed had been
committed in the most deliberate man
net. Each garment the Captain wore
had been carefully put aside, and
in the pieces in which he had been
scGutt1med to put them before
retiring Apparently he had seated
himself in a rocking chair, taken off
the shoe of the right foot, pressed the
muzz'e of the weapon to bis heart
and pressed the trigger with his toe,
The blood stains on the carpet indi.
Gated that after committing the deed
the Captain attempted to unlock the
door. Failing in doing this on &C.
count of weakness, he dragged him
eelf to the bed and threw himself on
it to die. The only message left by
the Captain WIS on a little piece Of
paper, which wa' found on the dress
ing case. 1t read thus:
"MY DARLING-Have some OF the
officials certify to the signature in my
will. Lovingly, Your HUsRAND."
There was a universal mourning
among the officers and men stationed
at the fort. No one felt the loss of
Capt. Weir more than Col. Hamilton
himeelf. He was the pride OF the
regiment" said the Colonel to a re-
Dol ter of the World. He was the
peer of any officer in the service, bravo
as lion, polished gentleman and a
strict, but just disciplinar'an. He was
a model commander indeed. He was
a most loving husband and father.
There could be no other cause for this
terrible deed than temporary insanity.
No man had less reason to die nor
mora reason TO live"