Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-10-04
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q. 5. Darfihston Of Concord Takes
lais Ltfo--A Victim OF 1olaDchoiin
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O.. 5. DRrfihston Of Concord Takes
I1Is Ltfo--A Victim of MoiaDc hoiin
? iia1olphia ines
Lawyer William 4. Darlington, whose
home ia at Concord, Delaware county,
committed suicide nj his mothers resi-
isnoe Monday morning. He was found
Head in his rom. with new riatol by
9is side and ono OF the barrels discharged
ia his brain. lie had been in apparently
good spirits on Saturday and Sunday ans
on Saturday evening played o few games
of orlbbage.
MIR Darlington was little known at TIE
Philadelphia bar. lie was not man WIN
sought ecquain,ances or tried TO popu
'4rza himself in any circle. From his
ea-ly boyhood no was subject to tae most
distressing seasons of melancholy Hi
father, DR.. Darlington, of Concord, WI,
one of the most intelligent, upright and
respected citizens Of the county, and
those who knew tho son do not regar,
him as having been capable OF any cTiuli
aal intent In the professional acts which
placed him in a questionable light before
he public.
He had neger overcome his tendency II
melancholy ssd that doubtless made hin
unbalanced in the practical direction OF
business aSaiTs, and his lack OF practlsa
method led him to the unfortunate man
agement Of the oleomargarins cases. HI
had, under advice from friendly counsel,
token o. ~ ~. ~. as...5 iG-.Ga r.sat 70
4attle the csses rs ne did w "a had ample
asauyance FROM his friends chat any
amount that s. judicial aepisiou demanded
from him would be promptly paid.
There was, therefore, no serious embhr
rassment to Mr.. Darlington in the case In
the worst aspect it might assume; but the
complication doubtless increased his nat
ural tendency to melancholy. and what
his family and friends have always feared
was realized Monday morning in the
shock Of his suicide.
iome weeks ago the deceased was
charged with retaining money procured
by hues through the prosecution Of
dealers in olaomargarine in Philadelphia.
He compromised or settled all the cases,
and said he turned the money paid by the
dealers over to the society. MIR. Darling
ton was comparatively well known III
Wilmington. He was graduate of the
University OF Pennsylvania, and during
nis course there, was reekoned IS the best
all around athlete OF the institution. He
was man of splendid physique and OF
powerful build. During his pursuance OF
his studies he worked hard and il is
thought overtaxed his brain. Before
committing the rash act he wrote letter
to his brother in which he Expressed his
love for his mother and directed that she
be taken care of and ecmforted. Another
letter to his law partner located some OF
their books which had gotten out
of the Office. Before shooting him
-elf he went through the old
homestead at Concord inspecting every
room, as If lOath to remove himself from
the scenes of his happy childhood. He
requested some sulphur matches before
retiring but these we're found in his room
Young Darlington was the son OF DR.
Heburn Darlington, one Of the most
highly respected men in Delaware county.
He was connected with the old Darlington
family of Chester county end was man
OF much promise. The Farmers Society
for which he was counsel, entirely yindi.
Gates his course with reference TO the
bogus butter fines, stating that the course
he pursued was as It directed. The
lending attorneys OF the Philadelphia bar
also state that his action in these cases
was without the shadow Of oriminality
and HIS position was fully justified as
counsel for the Farmers