Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-15
PROF. ECKFORD'S
Rash DEED
Fires a Bullet Into His Own
Brain.
HE CALLED A WITNESS
Announced HIS Imtcntion 10 KIN
Himself and Held Up IL Doctor
who Attempted TO lntcrfere-still
Alive, hut Cannot Rccover-Say-
IL Is No 0nc's business Why He
Shot Himself.
Especial to virginian-Pilot)

Cumberland. Md, April 14.-Prof. j
S. Eckford. of Portsmouth. Va, to-day
shot himself through the head just
above the temple. The bullet went
clear through. and Ii is believed he will
die.
He was carried to the jail back of the
courthouse. where he now lies.
Prof. Eckford is about IS years old,
we'll dressed and has flowing white
beard. Since his arrival here last Sat
urday he impressed the people as n
typical Southern gentleman of the old
school He came here Saturday. going
to the fremont House, where he con-
versed with the guests and was gen.
orally entertaining. On Sunday he went
TO the Laing House, where his few be-
longings now are. He is a professo or
of music and piano tuner.
THE FINAL ACT.
He stood nearly two hours this morn
ing with his hat off. at the place where
he shot himself. lie seemed TO be in
n most deliberate mood. and his I'M
usual action, coupled with his striking
presence, attracted the attention of
many.
While standing in front of Mr.. Swartz
Welder's house Prof. Eckford called to
the latter to go and stand by a tree
nearby. Mr.. SwartZwelder could not
understand so unusual u command. and
wanted to know why he should do so.
Eckford replied: II want you to wit
ness something. I am going to kill
myself" At the same time he drew n
revolver Eckford's eyes flashed fire
and Mr.. Swartzwelder retrcated q short
distance.
A PHYSICIAN HELD UP.
DR.. Richard Gerstell who came along.
heard part of the conversation. and
said: For Gods sake, man. don't do
anything like that" AT the same time
he proceeded to move toward the aged
man. ms II TO disarm him. Eckford told
nm At once IN stand back or he would
XIII him. and raised his revolver within
Two inches OF the Doctors heart Dr..
Gerstell withdrew and then Eckford
went through several evolutlons I'm
raising the revolver to his head.
Dr. Gcrstcll says he raised 1t once.
the barrel pointing right into the tenn
pie. Had he. fired then death would
nave been Instantaneous. He lowered
the weapon. however. and raised IL an
Inch above the temple, fired and foil to
the pavement.
WHY HE DID 1T.
Ecktord was carried to the Jail bleed
Ing. but not unconscious. He stated
tnat II was no ones business why he
shot himself. and aftcrward wrote n
note In firm hand to that effect. He
mas family in Portsmouth. He has
some money. The doctors say he can
not recover
ESKFORD'S STATEMENT.
Among his effects at n boarding
house was found the following state
ment:
The reasons for killing myself are
nopodys business. From n customary
curiosity people NEEDLE and Inquire
into things that concern them not. Let
the law take it's course. I am solely
responsible for being dead. I recor-
nize no Cod for there is none. The few
appurtenances I have will certainly
defray my board expenses at the Porter
House."
KNOWN IN PORTSMOUTH.
Professor ]. S. Eckford lived on the
suburbs of this city about eight months