Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-12
CHASTITY SPECTACLE.
SUICIDE or Mr.. GEORGE WILLIAM
coG6lLl IN PETERSBURG.
Hts Throat Cut from Ear TO Ear--He Had
Becn In III nealta---sufsercd
from Insomnia.

iCorrcepondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG. Va, October IL MIR. George
William Cogbiil, aged IS years, junior member
Of the old and well-known irm Of Sonmers a
ccsbill. stove aud t;nware merchants, Sycamore
stree. committed saicide this morning at his
rceidencc, corner Federal aud Cedar streete
About O'Clock Mr.. cogbiIi gave some directions
70 his servant, including tho opening OF his store
for business - usual About o'clock one Of hIs
sisters Knocked at HE door ana called TO him TO
prepare for breakfast Receiving no response
70 her calls, ste became alarmed and informed
her sister OF the fact With assistance they
forced the door OF their brothers room, when a
ghnsiiy spectacle met their ewes. broad stream
OF blood had run ecfosa the floor. and Mr. Cog
bin lay upon hts la * with his throat cut from
ear 70 ear. In his right hand Was grssped new
pocket.knifc, With the large blade open, with
witch She fatal wound had boen Inflicted. The
large bicod-yessels on either side Of the neck had
been severed and the wind-pipe cut In two. The
visitors wore IN time only 20 witness one or two
slight convuisivo gaeps before Death occurred.
CAREFULLY ARRANGED FOR IT.
Mr. Cogbln seems 10 have carefully ar
ranged for the deed, He spread q blanket
ca the floor and a sheet upon II, upon
which he place. pillow on which to
rest bis head. Tborcupon he laid hifnseH IN
bis uHderclothing, having placed his coat pants,
and west upon the bed from which he had 30 re-
Gently arisen. Tho wound Was n vide, gaping
one cfstndluR uONI 10 the nOues OF tne Nelhs ~
must have boon very determined effort 10 have
3niictcd such a wound with the two-inch blade
OF q small pockot-knife.
GOOD SOLDIER.
Mr.. Cogbiil was born In Chesterfield county
July IL, 1884. and came Of the good old family
OF that name In ibnt county. He had lived in
Petersburg for forty-nine .eare and gained Tor
himself an honorable character. both socially
and IN mercantile life. lie was very reserved
aud retiring In disposition, but attended always
strictly 90 business. and those VINO knew nun
best spoke highly Of him as man and TREND.
lie entered the Confederate army In 1861 ~ a
private In Company A, Twelfth Virginia Regi-
meut, made a splendid record as soldier, ana
surrendered on the field OF AppOmattOx. He
was the last color bearer Of the Iwolfth kegl-
menf, aud houorably and brayely he bore h's
Gag. He WAS member oi a. 7. Hiu camp ny
whom be will be buried with soldierly honors
TEMPORARY DBRANGEnENr
Mr.. Cogbill had boon In i'll health for some
weeks, aud suffered greatly from insomnia, from
which he could get no relioi. lie became de-
pressed aud nervous, and IL ia thought his nina
may have become disordered In consequence,
ard that In n temporary ht OF arrangement ne
took his life. NO other possible cause can be as
signed Tor the act. His financial circumstances
we're good. his business was In excellent c2ndl.
tion. and he had a happy home, where he lived
with two loving sisters.