The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-06
A SAD SUICIDE.
Mr.. Gideon Is. George shoots Himself
Through the Brsin-No Cause Assigned
for the Deed sincere Regret Over His
Rashness.


for the Deed-sincere Regret Over His
Rashness.
Yesterday morning, few minutes
past 9 o'clock, Mr. Gideon Barton George,
the general manager of the Joseph Davis
Shoe Company, was standing near the
guard house in the yard where the new
building is being erected by the
State to replace the one burned
down some months ago, and In
which the Davis Shoe Company manu-
factured their shoes, when he asked MIR.
John L. Talley, one of the Pententiary
guards TO allow him To see his pistol.
This Mr. Tslley did, having done the
same at Mr.. Georges request on other
occasions. Just after Mr.. George got The
pistol in his hands an explosion was
heard. Mr. Talley and Mr. William I.
Burton, who was standing near, q, once
looked around, attracted by the report,
and saw Mr.. George fail TO the ground,
the pistol smoking at his side. They
raised him up, carried him to the sur
geons room and summoned physi-
clans Doctors Rusk and Trevilian
promptly responded. Their services
were not needed. The shot had
been fired will. too fatal an effect. The
bullet had entered one temple, passed en-
lirely through the brain In nearly a
straight line out Of the other temple and
was picked up considerable distance
off
As soon as notified that Mr.. George
was dead, Coroner Taylor arrived. lie
learned the facts above given from the
evidence of Mr.. John l.. Talley, MIR. w.
r. Burton, Superintendent Cross, and
Mr.. II. ID. Haler lie decided that no in
quest was necessary, aud turned the body
over 10 friends for burial.
Messrs. ID. 5. Gates, r. D. Ilaller, and
number of other friends took charge OF
the body, and after placing il in hand
some casket put 1t in Mr.. Joseph w.
Laube's hearse. The remains were then
taken to the residence, No. BOG West
Grace street.
The weapon used was a Smith II Wes-
son 80 callibre, and though Mr. George
was paralyZed by the shot, he did not die
for three quarters of an hour.
Mr.. George was fifty nine years of age,
and native of Massachusetts. He had
1GtU IlNluE III tNti oiuSe thN
Joseph Davis Shoe Company got the Pen
itentiary contract TO manufacture shoes
several years ago. as the general man
ager of that company. He was of a So
cial disposition and was Of genial char
acter, and his social friends were very
numerous. He had long been sufferer
from heart disease, kidney, and liver
troubles, and latterly complained of in
somnia. The complication of these dis
eases, his brother-in-law, Mr. W. F. Ross,
said was doubtless the cause Of mental
dependency, resulting in the rash act
Mr.. George was member OF Baltimore
Commandery, Knights Templar, and sun
dry Masonic lodges.
There was universal grief in the city
when the sad accident became known
Mr.. George was liked by everybody for n
reason that will shed halo over his
grave and cause his memory TO
be fragrant in the minds OF
many people. Il is said that he was never
asked by the needy, however, humble for
assistance that his purse was not cordially
and generously placed at their disposal
The old veterans at the Soldiers Home
will especially remember him, for Lee
Camp was often beneficiary of his
benevolence.
Mr.. George leaves widow, who Is
naturally greatly affected by her sudden
and unloOked-for bereavement.