Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-02
HE SHOOTS HIMSELF.
MR. EDWARD f. BARNEY ENDS HIS
LIFE WITH PISTOL.
BULLET SENT THROUGH His HEAD.
His LfeIcss Body Found ON the
Floor of His ONCE with tho
Weapon Lying Between His Legs
Sketch of His Life--Hia Family.

I
cation Company, shot and killed himself
yesterday morning at "Meadowville." his
beautiful place in Chesterfield county. a
few miles below Dutch Gap.
The details received here up to late
hoJr last night were rather meagre, but
the circumstances attending the tragedy
Indicate that the bullet that was sent
through Mr.. Barney's head was fired with
suicidal intent. He was found lying on
the floor of his office, and the pistol lay
between his legs.
The news Of Mr.. Barneys death was re-
ceived here shortly before noon yesterday,
and created great surprise and sorrow,
as he was we'll known, and had many
friends in the city. The information was
brought to Chester by colored man. sent
| from the farm TO file a telegram from
Mrs. Barney TO Mr.. Irwin Weisiger, super
intendent Of the Navigation Company,
telling him Of Mr.. Barney's death, and re-
questing him TO come down at once. Mrs.
Barney's message did not indicate how
| her husband had come 20 his end, but
| from the. statement Of the farmland II
was inferred that he had committed sui
eide.
Il
A special received by the Dispatch last
night from Petersburg gave these details
about the tragedy:
'Mr. Barney was found dead at his
home, 'Meadowville,' in Chesterfield coun-
~. this morning. 1t is reported that
Mr.. Barney dressed himself and left his
residence ebout O'Clock this morning
No one who saw him suspected anything
unusual. Shortly before o'clock the
bell rang for breakfast. but, Mr.. Barney
not responding, an attendant was sent
out 10 notify him. The messenger found
the dead body OF Mr. Barney lying on
the floor OF his Office, in a building in the
yard, with a bullet wound through his
head, and the pistol, from which the ball
had been evidently fired, lying between
the dead mans legs.
whether or not death was the result
OF accident or intent is not known,
though the circumstances induce many
10 adhere 70 the latter theory, though
there. is no known cause for self-destruc-
tion."
SHOCK TO THE COMMUNITY.
Mr.. Barney's death was great shock 10
the community, and the crowds that
gathered around the newspaper bulletins
were startled by the announcement. Mr..
Weislger, before leaving for Meadow
VILE" said he could not assign any cause
or reason why his friend and business
associate should have desired to die.
Mr. Barney was one Of the last men
that one would have expected 10 choose
such a death. He was light-hearted and
iovial, and seemed TO have much 10 live
for With a happy family, bright and
beautiful home, splendid estates, ana
large business interests. the world appa-
rently had much to charm and satisfy
by the friends and business acquaintance
of Mr. Barney that his health was Tar
from good. He was of a cheerful disposi-
ton, but was sick much OF the time ana
often when seemingly bright and well
was really suffering greatly. The vast
improvements made on Mr.. Barneys land-
ed property and the development OF MS
James-river interests drew heavily upon
his resources. and also proved tax on
his mind and body He was enthusiastic
in all that he undertook. and gave close
attention to all of his varied affairs
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr.. Barney was a native Of Dayton, o.,
and was about 54 years Of age. His fatner'
from whom he inherited large fortune
established and built up the Dayton car
Works, in which it is understood that the
deceased still retained a large interest.
wears ago. He visited the State. and be-
coming greatly interested and pleased,
determined 10 make his home here. Seeing
in the James river a splendid water way
he AT once took steps 10 develop both its
TRANSFORMATION facilities and the land along
its hanks. as far as his fortune would
hermit He first acquired the peninsula
known as Hog island. He foresaw It's
possibilities. both I'm regard to fertility and
it's advantages Of location for shipment OF
stock and products Of the soil
OF this place, now called Homewood,
and for several years past the home Of DR..
George Potts n recent publication says;
Large sums were expended upon
dvline. ditching, and other improve
rnents Tasteful cottages were built, ana
furnished 10 meet the requirements OF
the owner and his family, HIS manager,
and employees, and for offices. Great
stables and barns were provided. and
long pier carried out 10 deep water. The
estate covers $500 acres, a large tract
being covered with heavtly-timbered
forest, through which roads have been
hewn and graded Here the grand sweep
OF the James river surrounds the cul-
tivated acres upon three quarters or the
circle. The grazing fields are well dotted
with fine cattle Great squares OF corn
and other cereals rest green In the sum-
mer sunshine; every sort Of table pro
duce is grown upon an extensive scale.
The soft winds lave the sandy beach with
musical wavelets; well-kept lawns,
hricbt with flowers, surround the pretty
avenue OF houses, and with, its store,
warehouses. post-oflce and the other
essentials OF this industrial principality,
there Is represented the embodiment or
a successful agricultural village I'm the
heart OF the most favored section OF the
United States, when all conditions are
fairly taken into account. Pure water IS
obtained in abundance here, as at James,
town and Meadowyille, Mr.. Barneys ad-
ditional properties by driven wells, from
400 10 COO feet deep. Fish and oysters
OF the finest winds are the yield Of the
broad river, Deer roam the forest,
partridge. quail, duck. and wild turkeys
delight the hunter with their abundance.
The enthusiasm of the resident owner in
this ideal place is justified by the re-
suits OF the faith which tempted him TO
undertake this notable reclamation or
wild and long-neglected spot
THE OWNER OF JAMESTOWN.
Not long after becoming the owner of
Hog Island, Mr.. Barney also bought
Jamestown Island, where the first Vir-
ginia settlement was established. He at
once went to work TO develop It's possibili-
ties as a plantation and a patriotic re-
sort. Large areas under his direction
were reclaimed from the marshes which
once covered the rearward margins, roads
we're built and the grand old house there
made habitable. but II burned down a
few years ago. as did the handsome dwell
ING AT "Homewood." Mr.. Barney spent
vast sums Of money at jamestown.
soon after the property was transferred
10 It's new owner. Mrs. Louise j. Barney
,,rnrented ali of the land In the immediate