The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-07
ENDED HIS EARTHLY WOE.
GEORGE A. WILKINS OF THE DE-
FUNCT SELMA, ALA, BANK
COMMITTED SUICIDE.
HE SOUGHT SOLACE IN A CHURCH
Remained Several Hours Alone With
His God and Then Sent Bullet
Crashing Through His Brain
Near the Altar


Selma, Ala, Dec 31.-Never in the
history of this city has there been cast
such gloom over it as today, caused
by the suicide of George A. Wilkins,
vice president of the Commercial Bank
of Selma. No man was held in higher
esteem than he, who was a polished
highly educated Christian gentleman and
, the soul of honor. His death came as a
"a thunder-clap from a clear sky, unexpect-
nKed even by those who were nearest to
him. All day long the details of the
~ tragedy and the probable cause leading
up to it were discussed in subdued tones,
but not one unkind word has been said.
There is not a living being in Selma who
believes that there was the slightest
wrong-doing behind. No one believes
George Wilkins was capable of wrong
act No one ever enjoyed the implicit,
unsuitable confidence of the community
in which he lives more than he did All
agree that the Over-work and intense
mental strain proved too much for him
and that the act followed many hours
of agony in darkness and alone.
He was treasurer of the principal
T. diocese of Alabama, of st. Pauls parish,
of the st. Andrew Brotherhood of the
Odd Fellows and Young Mems Christian
Association. More or less funds belong
ing to each of these societies were de-
posted in the bank and it is known that
Nyhan fhn oh IL tod
that he withdraw these funds or certain
amounts of them, he replied regretfully
that it was impossible. Besides these
monies he had individual funds on de-
post and his friends and relatives were
heavy depositors and owned stock in the
bank.
These things weighed heavily on him.
4 x Last night at 1870 Mr.. Wilkins, Mr.. II.
. II. Stewart, Jr., and Mr. Fred Peterson
were alone in the bank when Mr.. Will
kns suggested that all go home and get
some rest and return to work at 1870
\ this morning. He was first to leave,
: saying that he was going home and to
bed. Closing the door. ne said, Good
night, boys" and passed out. A short
time after leaving the bank he went into
SCOTS clothing store on Broad street.
\ He and Mr.. Scott had been intimate
4 friends for years and they had long
II conversation together about the bank.
NJ Mr.. Scott, seeing he was low-spirited
n and in order to cheer him up, told Mr..
q Wilkins of the many kind expressions he
\ had heard about the bank and the faith
and confidence he had heard expressed
A for the officials He then babe his
friend good night and he seemed more
cheerful than he had been for three
1 weeks. He insisted that Mr.. Scott go
/ at once to Gen. Nelson's home Qhe presi-
dent of the bank and tell him also what
he had heard, remarking: 81 feel so
sorry for Gen. Nelson" He then left
Mr.. Scott, saying he was going home
and try to get a good nights rest
The circumstances indicate that some
\ thing happened between the store and
ST. Paufs church that turned his
thoughts from their hopeful path and
that his over-taxed brain became I'M
NJ balanced He was for many years a
member Of the st. Paul's choir and was
devoted to his church. He carried a
key to the vestry room.
At $3.50 o'clock he went through the
vestry room into the darkness within and |
throughout the long hours of the night |
he wrestled alone with his God. His |
wife, sharing her husbands anxiety, sat |
up for him, waiting anXiously for his |
return. At 2 a. M, he had not returned,
and becoming alarmed, the wife awaken
ed her brother-in-law, Mr.. Julian Parke,
and requested him to go to the bank and
see if Mr.. Wilkins was still there. He
found the bank in utter darkness and fill
ed with fear less something had hap
pened to Mr.. Wilkins went to Gen. Mel
sons home and made inquiry for Mr..
Wilkins, but Mr.. Nelson knew nothing of
his whereabouts Mr.. Parke then con-
lice officer. Knowing Mr.. Wilkins love
and attachment for his church they went
| there, but could not get in, all the doors
being locked. They then secured a light
and determined to force an entrace Go
ing to window back of the organ they
succeeded in forcing it open. Mr.. Parke
mounted the window sill and peered into
the darkness called George, George"
\ at the same instant there was a report of
\ a pistol near the altar, and jumping in
II Mr. Drake, with a light in his hand,
H rushed towards the spot whence the re-
lying full length upon the floor inside
wound through the back of his head, and
the pistol with which the rash act had
| been committed, still smoking and grasp
Ned tightly in his hand.
"a Physicians were at once summoned
1and pronounced the wound fatal and had
the unfortunate man carried to his home,
Just one block away, where he died at
l2:1O this afternoon, having never been
zcOnscious since the fatal shot was fired.
s He left no letter explaining his rash act,
tbut it is believed, as stated it was the
result of the immense strain through
(which he had passed.
Il George A Wilkins WAS 40 years old