Evening journal., 1890-03-05
oaueeso TO DEATH.
Rufus Wheatley Took an ov.rdose-
Was Loaded

huius Wheatiey Took an everdose-It
Was Loaded
Special Correspondence EvnsIaa JouRNAr.
GEoRGErowN, Del, March 4.-Rnfus
Wheatley, ex-deputy clerk of the neace
Of Sussex county, killed himself this AZ
ternoon by taking chloral. He had been
summoned here from Philadelphia to tes-
tify before the Levy Court in regard To
alleged frauds in the county finances.
The Republican members Of the Levy
Court are In possession Of documentary
proof of gross and long. continued rob
berry of the county treasury, and the mat
ter was brought before the court to-day.
A resolution demanding investigation
was adopted by party vote, the Demo
Gratis voting In the negative. Wheatley
had been deputy clerk Of the peace. the
Office to which the frauds have been
traced for five or six years.
He was very much depressed when in
formed Of the discovery and asked for de-
lay in bringing the matter before the
court. He also promised information
duplicating prominent people in the
fraud. He died at 3 30 o'clock and his
death will probably complicate the un-
tangling of system Of fraud that has alb.
sorbed $40, 900 to $50, 600 Of the county s
funds.
Wheatley said TO friend :'T suppose /
shall 60 to Jail and rot there. while other
people as guilty as am can walk around
In shiny boots and silk hats" On his ar
rival here last night he sought inter.
views with the Republican leaders who
are investigating the frauds and asked
delay In exposing the mismanagement
Of the Office with which he was connected
| promising TO give them valuable in
formation. His prayer was denied. H,
wrote this morning to the attorney Of
the court, again asking for delay OF
the ground Of i'll l.health, and receivini
no reply became still more despondent
Wheatley had been accustomed TO th,
use of chloral when depressed, but il
this instance made the dose too large fol
his enfeebled system His wife ans
family, who knew nothing OF hi
trouble about the office, not havinl
seen him for about four months
previous, supposed he had takei
medicine for cholera morbus. When thi
effect Of the poison became apparent
medical aid was summoned, but Il wal
too late He died this afternoon, aftei
being unconscious for six hours. He wa
connected with the prominent families o
the state, and leaves wife and twl
children. The amount Of his shortag
was 81 900.
Or. G. II. Richards fell and hurt hi
knee on Friday last, and has been con
fined to his house ever since The doctor
mishap is regretted by his many friends
William Roach, an over-curious younl
man, going into Dr. NAPLES office on al
errand, saw revolver lying on the table
After the manner Of young men he pickle
It up and began TO examine t. 1t ex
ploded, the ball passing through his lef
hand, and lodging in his leg. For "Sata
finds some mischief still for idle hand
to do. -
brave young man Of this-town ha
lately begun to read novels. The novel
have a wonderful effect upon the nervou
system Of that young man. He ha
been reading a stirring blood-ans
thunder detective story That nigt
he was afraid to 60 to bet
and after he had summoned courag
sufficient the cracking Of a coal Ia th
stove caused him TO give vent to q blood
curdling yell. He said he thought /
, was shot.
Mr.. and Mrs. II. II. George have r
turned to Wilmington after visit
. Mrs Georges parents, Mr.. and MI
I Charles Cullen