Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-23
VERY SAD SUICIDE.
a GALLANT Ex. CONFEDERATE AND
GENTLEMAN TAKES HIS LIFE.
Details OF the Distressing Afair-Captain
Proctor's Carcer-Sudden Death OF
70 Coiored Man.

PETERSBURG. VA. october 22.-tspe-
cial. )-CsptaIn william II. Proctor, aged
about co years. n representative OF one or
the Oldest and most honored families In
sou,hside virginia, and himself univer-
sally beloved and respected, committed
suicide this morning about Z O'Clock at
his residence. in Prince George county.
twelve miles from this city. He was
almost as well known In Petersburg as in
| his native county and the intelligence
| OF his death by his own hands was
great shock 10 his relatives and many
| friends and acqualntances here.
The following particulars of the sad
affair were obtained to-day from the
| friends OF the deceased who came into
town TO make arrangements for the fune-
| raj:
| About ! o'clock this morning George
Howard. the faithful colored attendant OF
| Captain Proctor for "A long while, went
| into the Captains rooms as usual To as
certain and attend TO his wants and to
set everything Alright. The servant was
| greeted pleasantly Us usual 1t was the
custom OF Captain Proctor to keep his
! pistol, a brigh tly- polished Smith * Wes-
| flannel on the mantelpiece in his cham
Der Howard missed the pistol from its
accustomed place this morning and re-
marked: "Where is Marse Williams pis-
tol?"
| NOTHING THOUGHT OF IT
No reply was given to the enquiry, but
nothing was thought OF the absence OF
the pistol By the servant. After the room
had been properly attended TO the ser
want retired. but some minutes later re-
turned with a message from the Captain S
sister asking whether he would come tc
breakfast or whether he desired the mea
TO be sent to him. The Captains re-
Spouse was that he did not feel like eating
anything then and that he would not
come TO breakfast and nothing need bt
sent 10 him then.
About ten minutes later a pistol-sho
was heard I'm the Captains room, ana ms
sister and the faithful servant could ONLY
reach there In time to witness the las
gasps OF the dying man, who, being n
the agony Of death, was unable to speak
THROUGH THE HEART.
II seems that Captain Proctor aros'
from his bed. sat down upon the rug II
front Of the fireplace. clothed simply n
his night garments. unbuttoned and drew
aside the flannel shirt from his left breast
pointed the pistol directly to his heart
and fred. The ball went directly through
the heart end of course death resulte
almost Immediately. The body fell back
wards. the right arm sank upon the floor
and near by the loOsered grasp OF Tn
. hand lay the pistol. These are about III
, facts.
1 CAPTAIN Proctor was a highly educate
r and cultivated gentleman. He graduate
with distinction at the University OF Vii
| ginia with the degree Of Master of Art
t He wax a great reader. a close student
{ | n gentleman OF the most exact honOl
: and principle. and a man of warm frend
ship. He served As division deputy fl
I this division under Mr.. Cleveland's forme
y administration. He was n brave and ga
Q liant Confederate soldier, serving as pr
. vate and officer I'm the Thirteenth Vii
2 ginia Cavalry. and lost a lex in the ba
i tie Of Hanover Courthouse He was
gentleman and brave gentleman in h
& every fibre. but withal 80 retiring an
II modest that only his intimate frienC
: knew his actual worth.
e DELIBERATE CASE.
As 10 the cause of suicide, but little c.
be said. He left nothing behind TO il
dicate what il was That ii was 1t
B., liberate case OF llfe-tal,lng. done ait
i cool and mature thought. without Il
u least indications of alteration OF min
u no one can doubt He very carefully a
+ ranged for the disposition Of all OF i
= property. His personal effects he pack
u with care in his trunk, and In his ow
~ good handwriting on piece OF pap'
L pushcd into the keyhOle. whore it cou
II not fail 10 be seen directed that IN
/ ebould be given TO his faithful attendai
q George Howard, who had so patient
" and honestly served him. y private Il
i ter. addressed to a nephew in this ca
30 gave further directions as to other M
tiers.
II is believed that depression of bu
ness. coupled with private affairs OF
ID delicate nature. caused the Captain
re take his life. The body Will be broue
r. 10 Rlandford Cemetery for lnterment
st the Soldiers Square tomorrow art
IT, noon.
- FOUND DEAD IN BED.
il Richard Merritt (colored) was lou
o. | dead in his bed at his home, on 1
n street. yesterday. His mother was a"
for several days. and the deceased Il
not been seen since last Friday. The I
pleasant odor coming from the hol
caused an investigation to be made. !
~. doors were broken open, and the DO
- found ~ above-stated. Death - suppo'
- IA have been the result Of heart dista
H. NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH
ed Peter Jones (coloreD went to sleep
hn ,he Atlantic-Coast Line track IL
III Mount Airy work shops yesterday
was knocked of by the ongin" OF a PASS
freight train one Of his arms
-, broken. and he was otherwise sever
br,li,e but he WAS sufficiently a"ahei
m TO get home.