Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-23
MR.. WEBER SUICIDES.
In Old Citizen Of Petersburg Shoots
Himself With q Pistol.
IN BAD HEALTH and SPIRITS.
MA Nan . Gallant Confederate Soldier
Professor Davis Assaulted by Uni-
versity sohooiBoyA

PETERSBURG. VA. December r.
(speciai.)--Mr Peter r. A. Weber. aged
"a years. an humble but wideiy-known
citizen. committed suicide about o'clock
this morning at his residence. No. Al
Miller street, In Blandford. by shooting
himself through the head. The Coroner
held an inquest over the body at ii
o'clock. when the following facts were
developed BY the testimony of sworn
witnesses:
Abou, 4 o'clock this morning Police
Ofncer Marcus Slate whose beat was In
Blandford. and whose home happened TO
be next door to that OF the Weoers, went
into his house TO get cup OF conee ana
a morsel to eat. While hurriedly drink
ing his coffee. he was startled by loud
knocking at his door. There he found
Mrs. weber and her daughter in their
night apparel. who. in great trepidauon
declared that they had Ned from home
for fear OF their lives. as Mr.. Weber
had threatened 10 kill them. They asked
the officer to 20 over and see Mr.. Weber.
and endeavor to quiet him. The ladies'
were invited in by officer Slate. who i'm
mediately went over 10 see Mr.. Weber.
VERY MUCH EXCITED.
The officer found the old gentleman In
his room. apparently very much ex-
cited. He had big stick in his hand,
with which he at first threatened TO
lll the officer, but the latter by his
coolness and gentleness. finally succeeded
IN ouieting him. and bringing him back
10 reason. officer Slate then returned
home and. advising the ladies TO remain
at his house. went TO the gas-works
10 inform Mr.. George Weber OF his
fathers condition. Young Mr.. Weber i'm
nedlately went home, where he found his
father living in bed. The old gentleman
asked his son what he wanted. and when
the latter responded that he had come TO
look after his welfare, ordered him TO
GO away and bring his sister back. The
son did as desired, and went over 10
officer States and brought his sister
home. after explaining his fathers re-
quest. He then went back 10 his WORK
but returned home at $50 O'Clock TO MS
breakfast During this interval nothlng
had apparently occurred but while eat
ing his breakfast young Mr.. Weber re-
ouested his sister TO get him a clean
shirt. as he desired TO come into town
and get a shave.
A PISTOL IN HAND.
To ret the garment the young lady had
10 go into her fathers room, and. sup
nosing her father 10 be resting quietly,
she entered his apartment. she founa
her father with a pistol in his hand, and
as soon as he saw her. threatened to XIII
her She ran back to her brother, ana
told him what had occurred. Mr.. George
Weber at once ran and closed the door
of his fathers room, with the view OF
preventing him from doing any damage
20 his daughter. and In the mean uihe
sent out for the assistance or neighDor.
while the effort was being made 10 con-
fine the old gentleman TO his room, re-
mort was heard like the sound OF the
exploslon OF a percussion cap, and all
was still.
LIMBER IN DEATH.
I-Don onening the door the body OF
Mr. Weber. timber in death. was found
living on the floor. and pressing against
the door. The body had to be showed
hack before an entrance could be Cd
tained. The shot had been fired from an
old-fashioned "pepper-box' pistol, carry
inc very small ball, and had entered
the head iust above the right ear Appa-
rentlv death was immediate, though me
second barrel OF the pistol was iouhu
Cooked" as though to complete 'he
work. ..N
,rbe deceased was employed az watch
r,on M the Yards OF Messrs. Marks x
T,iend II IS said that for some time
naet that he had been in bad health and
In had spirits and that his domestic reia-
lions had not. in consequence. been happy.
He was q gallant Confederate soldier
and served during the late war In
Branch's Artillery
AN INTERESTING CASE.
A case Of more than ordinary interest
was brought before the Mayor this morn
ing. but. by agreement OF counsel was
continued until the 4th OF January. The
case involved the prosecution or eight or
the students OF the University School OF
this city, on the charge OF assault upon
Professor Arthur Kyle Davis, the prih-
c;pal OF the Southern Female College
and on the charge Of trespass on the
latter's premises Mr.. w. Gordon Nc
Cabe. the master OF the University School.
is at present in New York, and the con-
tinuance was granted mainsS on this ac-
count. The trouble. II is reported, oc-
CURED by reason OF the advances OF
certain young students OF the University
School towards the young ladies Of the
college.
HOLIDAY TRADE.
The Christmas trade practically ends
with to-day. The weather for many days
has been all that could be desired in this
respect, and the people have not been
slow TO appreciate this fact. But the
fact il also apparent that the Christmas
trade has fallen far below the general
average. The people have not the money
10 make their usual purchases.
Mrs Mary T. Gerow. an aged and re-
spected lady Of Dinwiddie county. who
has been seriously Ill for several weeks,
IS now convalescent.
The Catholic and Episcopal churches OF
this city will be deliberately decorated in
honor OF Christmas. In other churches
the proper decorations are being made
for Christmas-tree celebrations
The sales Of loose tobacco at the several
warehouses in this city during the present
week aggregated about 10000 pounds.
IL appears that the custom Is growing
IN this city among the ministers OF the
different churches 10 announce the sub