The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-13
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
GsOrss Nicholson Woodbridge Killed by
His Own nand.
THE DEED COMMITTED At BIS HOME.
No one butthe Servants Were i'm the House.
lie Was Cashier of the Savings Bank
Of Rlchmond-No Cause Known.


from lip to lip. and over telephone wires
last night. about the time the good peo-
ple Of Richmond were sitting down to
their tea tables.
steady stream of business and pro-
fcssional men. women and children set
out Tor his late residence. PIG east Frank
On street. and the sad story was all too
quickly known. and spread over the city
iu short order.
George Nicholson Woodbridge was the
cashier Of the Savings Bank of Richmond,
aud held a high place in the esteem OF the
business and social world of the city.
He left the bank about L. NJ. yester-
day and proceeded home. There was no
one 'u the house save the housemaid
saI cook. who were in the basement
~ IS supposed that he went at once TO
Is ROOM took off his clothes. leaving on
iim only his suit Of underwear and
placing the pistol close to his left breast,
ired the fatal shot.
The housemaid hearing the barking OF
Nr WOodbridge's setter dog. which was
always with him, went up stairs, and
was Mortified 10 see him lying on the
floor. the pistol by his side. She went
down stairs and told the cook, and to-
OF sudden death and saw the shocking
sight in which there was a tender ray
OF relief in the devotion Of the faithful
dog. who was licking his dead masters
face and trying in dumb. but loving af-
lection 20 make the eyes Of his master
open upon him. In the meantime, Mrs.
WOODBRIDGE had came in from a match
at tennis. and hearing her approaching,
they withdrew and she, going to the room
was inconceivably shocked at the sight
Of the form OF her dead husband.
DIT John Dunn. whose office is under
Is east Franklin street, and DR.. Moses
ID. Hoge. Jr.. Of 7 north Third street, the
nearest physicians. were Immediately
sent for. and arrived.
There was nothing 10 be done for death
must have been instantaneous, his aim
at his heart having been true
The pistol was a small one, or ~ in.
calihre but il was sufficient for the dead
~ work. II was found at his side. where
he had dropped IT,
His right hand was blackened by the
v,ovyder from the cartridge. Coroner Tay-
Tor was sent for at once, and after view
ING the body and hearing the statements
M the people at the house, decided an
iuouest unnecessary.
Undertaken Christian was sent for 10
take charge OF the remains.
Two letters were left by Mr.. Wood
bridge. one addressed TO Mrs. Woodbridge,
and the other TO his friend and counsel,
,raior Robert stiles. Nobody knew what
Those letters contained except those 10
whom addressed last night.
Mrs Woodbridge was in state or ner-
,ous urostratiOn, and could not be seen
~, anyone. and when I asked Major STILES
what the contents Of the letter TO MN
were he declined 10 talk on the subject.
= g.rtIv mentioned the fact that II was
f..f.. arf ON
an me- NO" said he. II would rather
cav nothing about II. except that he mas
sc.--ad very much depressed and out OF
sorts lately" Major stiles did not deny
that be had received such letter, tnougn'
Another case Of depression or absent
mindelness was shown by Mr.. Woou-
bridge only a few minutes, or hail al
hour before he killed himself.
AS he came in his house Mrs W. Ben
Palmer was passing, and she spoke 10
him pleasantly, making a remark OF
admiration regarding his dog
She was astonished. being an old frieno
Of Mrs. Woodbridge, to see that MI
Woodbridge simply stared hard at nei,
making no sort Of reply, and went INTO
the house.
This was the last seen Of him alive.
Major John A. Hin, expert accountant
prd bookkeeper, Of the Savings Bank or
richmond. was told the sad news by
Times man about IL O'CLOCK.
He had gone TO bed, but kindly arose
end dressed himself, and told Of the last
time he saw Mr.. Woodbridge, when was
az $50 Z. VI. yesterday.
Major Hill went to the bank as usual
ala p. NJ. yesterday and went 10 work
He noticed that Mr.. Woodbridge was
writing letters, something very unusual
With him in business hours.
Major Hill suggested that as Mr.. WOOD
bridge seemed busy, he would wait tlil
TODAY TO check the books, to which Mr..
Woodbridge said: mo. let's check up
and they did So finishing the work about
$50 p. NJ. when he major HID LETT
the bank. leaving Mr.. Woodbridge there
Reminding Major Hill that there were
al sorts OF rumors afloat as to trouble
Of some kind in which Mr.. Woodbridge
was involved, causing his suicide. Major
Hnl assured me with emphasis that the
books. records and accounts of the DahK
were In correct and proper shape.
The work was kept up to the very
hour. Weekly trial balances were taken
of the books-the last one on Friday,
Instead Of Saturday, as he wished to be
out OF town that day.
A committee Of the bank examined Its
affairs some two weeks ago, and every
thing. TO the smallest detail, was found
20 be correct.
I heard from another source that there
were from so 10 100 shares OF stock in
the bank owned by Mr.. and Mrs. Wood
bridge.
Major Hill was much shocked and
Rrieved TO hear Of the sudden and I'M
timely death Of Mr. Woodbridge, as he
had left him alive and well only so short
@ time before the news was told him by
The Times man.
No arrangements had been concluded
FOR the funeral services last night. The
absent members Of the family were tele-
Eraphed to at once, and the time OF the
frntral Will probably depend on their
arrival In Richmond.
Mr. w Ben. Palmer who was an inti-
mate friend OF the dead man, told me
that for some two weeks past he had
feemed depressed and nervous, and I'M
Ike himself. He was quite sure that Mr.
Wccdbridge's mind must have been tenn
rorary affected. or he could never nave
taken such q course
George Nicholson Woodbridge was
born in Richmond in 1S41. a son OF the
aforementioned and beloved Rev. George
Woodbridge, for years rector OF the Mon
umental church. He graduated at the
Episcopal High School near Alexandra,
and during the war served with great
bravery as courier on the staff or GEN
tal J. e. +. Stuart.
After the war Mr. Woodbridge went |
With the late Robert Edmond as clerk, |
and subsequently, married Miss Martha |
Edmond, daughter OF his employer and |
sister Of the present Mr. Horace p Ed |
nOud Mr. Woodbridga next ,ugaQed In |