The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-06-30

PETERSBURG. VA, June 29-speciaL
The community was startled this morn
ing by the announcement that ex-Mayor
Charles +. Collier had committed sui
eide at his home on High street, by
shooting himself with pistol
The bali entered the right side Of the
head. going through the brain, and
coming out On the opposite side OF the
head.
Death was instantaneous.
IN BED.
At the time Col. Collier shot himself
he was sitting 10 in bed. and died with
the pistol c.mched in IBIS right hand.
Both of his hands We're resting IN his
lap. and the bedding was covered with
blood.
The tragic act was committed about
5 clock this a. NJ
The house in which Col Collier killed
himself is the one in which ne WAS
barn.
BAD HEALTH
Col Collier bad been IN bad health
for months and of late had suffered SEE
vereL of insomnia.
This morning ho and Mrs Collier had
intended going down 10 Virginia Beach
ON au excm sion. but Col Collier felt 50
badly that .e didn't want 20 90 on the
trip but told his wife 20 go.
Mrs Collier left home, but on reach
ing the Union Depot discovered that She
had lcft her excursion ticket at home
and sent Mr.. Walter c. keyan Col
Golfers nephew. back for it.
When Mr. Kevan arrived at Col Col
uars the latter told Mr. Kevan TO toll
Mrs. Collier that Dee (Col. CollieD. was
feeling very badly and that she had bet
ter return home Mrs Collier, came home
az once and went up 90 see her husband
and then came downstairs.
FATAL SHOT
a few moments after Mrs. Collier loft
Col Collier Doe fired the fatal shot Mrs.
Collier was completely prosrrated with
grief at the tragic death of her husband.
col Collier carried am Insurance ON his
life. but for how much was not learned.
Ile was most anable gentleman, con-
sistut Christian. and his death VIII he
regretted bv host of friends.
There VIZ De meeting of The mem
bers of the bar and officers of the court
I'm .he Hastings Court room tomorrow
morning at l0 o'clock 10 take suila"ie
action as t0 the death of Colonel Collier.
THE FUNERAL.
Tho funeral viii take place tomorrow
afternoon at O'Clock at Tlbb-Srecl
Pr rasbytcrin church.
COLONEL COLLECTS LIFE.
Colonel Charles II. Collier was born in
the city of Petersburg. Va. ON the 10th
day of September lsE Tie was the tirst-
born of the late Hon. r. r. Collier and
Nary A. Collier. who was "a Miss Davis.
the fourth daughter of Samuel Davis and
Fanny Davis who was Miss Tuslcy of
Hanover county Va. The house in which
the Mayor resided was tho same in which
he was born and is substantially without
change. Ills early education was in the
best schools in the city and one year ar
the Brunswick Springs Academy located
about o. mile from Lawroncevilio Va.
His collegiate education was at Washing
ton College. now Washington and Ice
University President Runnor ARM
strong. Dahney and Calhoun constituting
tho faculty. and at the University OF
Virginia. DR.. Gessner Harrison being Tho
dean Of the faculty and among its pro-
fcssOrs Mos-rs. Schele dc We're. william
u. Rogers Dr. Cabell and others-an of
them eminent bon their several depart.
ments. After completing his classical
education he entered The Law School at
Harvard University. Cambridge Mass.
Simon Greenleaf and Judge Kent being
the law professors. Judge story having
just then died. and Edward Everett presl-
dent
Completing his law studies taking the
degree of /. J.. b.. he entered upon th,
practice of law with his father in this
city. This was about six months before
he attained his majority.
HIS MARRIAGE
During this year Mr. Collier married
Miss Bell Gee. OF the county of Prince
George. Va. After practicng a year or
more I'm this city and the adjoining coun-
ties Mr.. Collier moved 20 his plantation
I'm Prince George cOunty-Shell Banks
q notable place formerly owned by the
late Edmund Rufin ESD and at which
place was edited and published by him
the Farmers Register Mr. Ruflin is
well remembered as having fired the first
gun OF the Confederacy on Fort stump
ter. $ c.. seeking that honor This farm
was also notable as place on which shell
mari was found abundantly on the sur
face and eXperimentally used as a fer
tilier by Mr.. Rufiin.
After residence OF about a year in the
country Mr. Collier was nominated by the
Democratic party Of the two counties Of
Prince George and Surry for the House
OF Delegates. and was duly elected Mr.
Collier was elected a second time 10 the
same office. During this time Mr. Collier
was appointed and duly commissioned as
major IN The militia, OF which Francis NJ
Boykin. Of Sn'ithheld, was the command
ing general.
In 1851. tho year Of the memorable cox
snow in this section Major Collier. at the
instance OF his father. whose health rem
dered him unable 10 attend 10 his large
practice, moved back 10 this city. again
entering into partnership with his father
IN POLITICS.
Shortly after his return 10 Petersburg,
he was elected 20 the House OF Delegates
from this city and was a member OF the
LEGISLATURE at the time that secession as
serted itself and the Confederacy sprung
into existence. During this time the Vir-
Ginia Convention assembled, which, al
though largely anti-secession. under the
Impulse OF Lincolns call for VlrgInla's
quota of troops 10 put down secession
passed tho ordinance
Mayor Collier was fully in accord with
the sentiments OF an overwhelming ma
jorlty Of the people Of Virginia and was