Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-20
| AM TIRED OF LIFE.
Mu. FERGUSON WRITES THIS MES
SAGE AND SHOOTS HIMSELF.
HAD LONG BEEN DESPONDENT.
The Death of His wife Made Him
Even More IncOnsoinbic, aud He
Had Twice Attempted suicide-shot
Produced Instant Death.

| Mr.. Eugene II. Ferguson ended his HE
by shooting himself I'm the dining-room
Of his home. No. l27 west Cary street
at $50 o'clock yesterday morning.
II am tired Of life" was the message
that he bequeathed to his children in
explanation OF his desperate act. which
was the closing scene of life, the lines
of which had not always been spread in
| pleasant places
Mr.. Ferguson had been quite eccentric
for several years past, and since the
death Of his wife, last July, his eccen-
tricities had developed to such an ex-
tent that the belief was current that he
was mentally unbalanced He was sub
iect to periods Of citation, which were
succeeded by fits Of the most intense
depression. During the latter he would
become mentally distracted, and appa-
rently oblivious OF his surroundings, and
regardless OF any and all remarks adj
dressed to him.
PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS AT SUICIDE.
on two occasions during these fits he
had attempted his life-the first about
two years ago i'm Georgetown, KY, and
the latter about five weeks ago. when
he swallowed a quantity Of carbolic acid.
and his life was only saved by the time
ly appearance and labors OF DTS sea-
ton and Ingram. Until Tuesday night
Mr.. Ferguson appeared to be more san
guine than he had been for some time
past. Then came period of hopeless
depression, and yesterday morning he
To no 10 TO
lightly. and spent some time after break
fast on the porch of his house. All
the members of his family. save his lit
tie daughter. Matte had left for work,
and she was on her way to school, and
engaged in conversation with lady who
is visiting the family, i'm the front Of
the house. when the report Of a pistol
was heard. Some children were passing
the house at the time, and stopped mo-
mentarily, but passed on their way,
laughing away their suspicious. Matte
Ferguson and her friend believed that
mirror had fallen, and went in to see
the extent of the damage.
SITTING Up, BUT DEAD.
The mirror was. however. found in its
appointed place, and the suspicion of the
truth dawned upon them. After some
delay the two went down stairs, and
found Mr.. Ferguson seated in an arm
chair one hand resting on the ice-box by
him, and his right arm hanging limp at
his side. his hand grasping a 32-caiibre
revolver. from which he had fired a bullet
through his temple
The lady and the child were terrified.
and rushed from the house screaming. a
large crowd gathered, and Dr. Edward
Mccarthy was called in and pronounced
life extinct, giving it as his opinion that
death had been instantaneous. The
Coroner was notified, but deemed an in
quest unnecessary, as IL was clearly a
case of felo de sc.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Mr. Ferguson was a years old. He
had lived in Richmond for the past four
years. coming here from Pittsylvania
county near the city of DanyEe. He
had been reared in Danville by his grand
father being taken there from his birth
place in Mississippi shortly after the death
of his parents. while he was but a few
months old. He was well-known in the
city on the Dan. and was highly esteemed
He was induced to como 10 Richmond by
the prospect Of better times and q larger
scope, but his hopes were not realized. He
was employed by the Sauer Company as
a drummer for some time. but was not
successful and latterly he sold cigars on
commission for Messrs. Hancock. In
Danville he was engaged in selling mer-
chandise. and had at one time served on
the police force.
He leaves three daughters and three
sons. Misses Mamie and Susan Ferguson
are employed in a prntng-office in the
city. and Miss Matte is still at school
OF his sons. Mr.. Lindsey F. Ferguson is
Deputy Clerk of the Corporation Court of
Danville. Mr.. Howard Ferguson is in
Lynchburg. and mis- youngest son. Eugene,
is at school.
The funeral will take place at o'clock
this afternoon from his date residence
Rev. DR.. Willingham will conduc. the
service.