The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-24
Kirby 5. TUPPER's SUICIDE.
Had Recently Been Appointed TO a
Federal Positinn.

A7GrAAADhs
Atlanta. Ga. Sept. 2S.-Kirby S. Topper
of Charleston. 5. C.. deputy United States
collector Of customs at that point. and re-
Gently transferred to Atlanta. as assist
ant TO W. A Donaldson, in charge Of the
exposition customs office. committed sui
eide in his brothers office in the Equitable
building. this morning
Mr.. Upper was ia good financial cir
cumstances. ana a member of "A fine South
Carolina family, with a happy young wife
and beautiful child. He left letter on
his brothers desk, probably Civ
ing the cause Of his act, bur the letter
IS in the hands of the family and viii
not be given 10 the public. Why he killed
himself is a mystery
Mr. Upper came from Charleston few
days ago and put up at the Aragon hotel
He was expecting his wife ana child 20
Jsin him here to-day, his duties requiring
that he remain here until the exposition
closes Last night he left the Araeon no
tel, but no one seems 10 know where he
spent the night. At 1870 O'Clock this morn
ing he went 10 the Equitable building
and asked the porter 10 let him into the
upper, manager of the Queen
Insurance Company, to write letter
He went into the private office and a half
hour later the pistol shot that caused
his death startled the inmates OF the build
The bullet entered the side of his head,
and the smoking weapon was in his hand
as he lay upon lounge.
Physicians arrived quickly, but he was
beyond medical power Later the body
was removed to the Grady hospital. where
he died at 1890 O'Clock. Besides the let
ter TO his brother, "a memorandum was
found in an upper pocket asking that ).
Y. Upper, l03 Capital avenue, be notified
of his death; also Leuts. ChatnelG and
Liggett at Fort Mcpherson. his brothers
in-law, and w. a. Donaldson, at the res
idenee Of the late Senator Colquitt. The
notifications were delivered by the police.
Word was also sent his wife at Charles
ton. His brother. S. Y. Upper, is now
In Richmond
The coroner investigated the case this
afternoon, but nothing was disclosed that
would throw any light upon the cause of
the deed. The letter addressed to Mr..
Tupper's brother was not opened by the
coroner, as he did not consider that he
had the right to do so, as il was plain the
case was one OF suicide. The body was
taken TO Charleston tonight for burial.
Charleston, S. G., Sept. 23.-The news of
the suicide at Atlanta of Kirby 5. Upper
Was a shock to this community where he
was very popular Mr.. Upper was deputy
collector of the port Of Charleston. He
was son of the late Hon. Samuel Y. Tup-
per, president of the chamber of COM
Gnerce, and was educated at the Charles
ton college. He was named for Gen. Kirby
Smith, the confederate general on whose
stan his father served for some time in
Virginia during the war. He had inherited
and acquired talents of a high order. AS
an orator he possessed unusual accom-
plishments For some time he commanded
the Carolina Light Infantry, and was al
ways conspicuous in conventions and po-
htical movements. He was at one time a
member of the legislature for Charleston
county. His manners were graceful and
gentle and his sarcasm and repartee never
without a sharp point. He was a rising
young man. He leaves a widow and a
Child. His death will have an important
bearing upon the approaching municipal
election as he was the political lieutenant
of Collector George ID. Bryan, who is run
ming for the mayoralty, and had great in
huence in the ranks Of the Democratic
party