Middletown transcript., 1899-08-19
NEcRoLouY
IrosrpAs DAatfseros.

!, Without q foe, with every man, woma
and child whom he knew a friend, th
spirit of Lee Darlington, the teller of tn
Citizens National Bank Of Middletown
passed from the scenes of the best and bus
lest years Of his life on Saturday morning
August 18th, into the great eternity. VIII,
can tell the mortal pain ofthe last momeni
of that life of beautiful domestic happiness
remarkable filial devotion and good citizen
snlpF Who sits in Judgment upon thu
mental agony seeking relief even in the
graVe2 None justly, for none can under
stand and know the cause. Inscrutable are
the ways of Providence.
Leonidas Darlington was born in Newark,
Del, August IS, 1S47. He was son OF
Samuel Darlington of that town. In 1861
ne entered the store Of William Reynolds
OF Newark and subsequently clerked for
George Evans. In 1877 he came to Middle
town having accepted q position in the
large mercantile establishment of s. M.
Reynolds & Co. He was cashier there
until June, 1884, when he was elected teller
of the Citizens National Bank of Middle
town to succeed John s. Crouch who sue
ceeded ]. R. Hail. The resolutions of the
Bank Directors elsewhere testify to Mr..
Darlington's efficiency. Last Saturday
morning he arose earlier than usual after a
somewhat restless night, having returned
home at o'clock the previous evening and
not having been well for some time.
thought of shaving but gave it up because
it was dark, asked Mrs. Darlington to ar
range his necktie, inquired about breakf fast
and passed out Cashier Crouch was before
Mr.. Darlington in the Bank, having i'm.
portant papers to send by Director Jesse L.
Shepherd to Wilmington. Mr.. Crouch had
just come out to seek Mr.. Shepherd as Mr..
Darlington entered the Bank. This was
about o'clock. A few minutes thereafter
pistol shot was heard by Mrs. Crouch, the
cashiers residence adjoining the Bank, and
by Druggist ]. G. Bragdon, Mr.. Alfred
Price and others. Mr.. Price went to the
Bank and the Alderman's Office, locating
the sound in that direction, but could see
nothing unusual at either place. In the
mean time Mr.. Joseph Biggs, president of
the Bank, tried the Bank door twice wish
ing to see Mr.. Darlington whom Cashier
Crouch had said was inside, but received
no response. In twenty minutes or a half |
hour Mrs Crouch looked in at the windows |
from the yard to call Mr. Crouch, if he were |
there, and she saw the form of man living |
on the floor. She sent for Mr.. Crouch who |
with several others who were at hand en-
tered the Bank and just behind the bar
aeaf the cashier 5 window lay the body of I
The teller grasping in his right hand the A
calibre revolver belonging to the Bank and
with bullet wound from temple to temple.
While no eye saw the deed it was evidently
case of suicide, while laboring under
nervousness and temporary alteration of
mind. OF ell the sad occurrences in Mid
1letown none excel this and the sympathy
Tor the bereaved is general.
Besides his responsible position in the
Bank Mr.. Darlington was treasurer of the
Town Council, treasurer of the Middletown
Building and Loan Association, and treas
1rer of the Light and Water Commission.
No one who knew him thought for NOM
mt there was any error in any of his &C.
counts; all the books and accounts were in
perfect order.
He married Miss Margaret Jones, daugh-
Ter of Mr.. Chas. E. Jones of this town,
having one son, Lee, eleven years old to
whom he was devoted, the attachment
between father and son being unusually
lffectionate. He owned his own home on
3reen street and was happy therein, being
luite domestic in his habits and lover of
lowers.
Mr.. Darlington was a past master of
Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and member
# Welcome Conclave of Heptasophs, car
ying 5000 insurance in the society. At
he funeral services held on Tuesday Messrs.
7. 81. Emerson, W. s. Letherbury and Will
lam Brockson represented the Masons as
bearers and Messrs. Jesse L. Shepherd, J.
". Barnett and A. M. Brown represented
he Heptasophs. Rev. 1. L. Wood con-
lucted the service, Mr.. Darlington being
! frequent attendant at the NJ. E. Church of
which Mrs. Darling on is an active member.