The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-26
TIE DEA TIL OF
MAJOR FI'Ni'NI..EY
Bowed Down With Long Suffering,
He Ends His Life.
WAS. A WELL-KNOWN CITIZEN.
Born in P,whatan, He Served With Distige
ton Throughout the War.--Was Totally
Blind and Great Sufferer---Leaves
"a Wife and Little Girl.

In a state of temporary mental de-
rangemcnt, to which he was driven by
blindness end long physical suffering,
augmented by broodiEg over the recent
death of his bosom friend, Mr.. Jack Gill
liam, Of Powhatan, Major Randolph
Harrison Finney took his own life about
$3.50 o'clock Sunday morning, in his room,
at No. 1858 Floyd Avenue,
Major Finuey arose as usual
and came downstairs and as
sisted his wife in getting things in Tendl-
ness for breakfast. About ten minutes
before the deed was committed which end
ed his earthly career ne went back to ms
room to prepare for breakfast. rev
moments later his wife called him, but he
did not answer. She called u second time,
and knowing his feeble condition ana
fearing he had tainted, rushed upstairs 10
meet the horrifying spectacle OF her nus
bands body suspended from a transom
by a rope and his life we'll nigh extinct
Drs. Christopher ron:pIlins and Lewis Z.
EcsEer We're Immediately summoned, and
did all in their power to restore the dying
man, but without success. They stated,
that it was not the deliberate net OF a
sane man, but that the unfortunate VIC
tim of his OWE hand was in a state OF
temporary insanity, cnused by brooding
over his physical condition. he being total
WAS IN GOOD SPIRITS.
Although Major Finney had been III
wretched health for several years and
was totally blind, he had been apparently
| unusually bright for the past few days,
AMI seemed in much better spirits than
Usual.
Major Finney was born in Powhatan
County, where he spent the greater part
of his life. lie was :;iXty-five years of
age and was of distinguished parentage,
his father having beel the late Captain
William Finney, Of the Richmond Blues,
and lis mother Il Miss Wood, of a prom
inent English family.
Major Finney spent most OF his life in
Powhatan, having lived in this city about
fourteen years. He was highly educated.
having attended prominent schools in this
country and in England. He was engaged
i'm no active business at the time of his
death, the last position he held having
been with the late firm of Richardson s.
| Co., carpet dealers OF this city.
For thirty years Major Finney had been
almost totally blind. having lost one eye
| when a boy, and the other as the result
| Of an aggravated case of erysipelas.
\ GALLANT SOLDIER.
Minor Finney served with distinction
throughout the Civil War as quartermas-
ter on the staff of General Harry Heth,
and often afterwards congratulated him
self upon coming out without losing the
sight OF his other SSe
He served with distinguished gallantr:
at Gettysburg, and on many other fields
and followed the cause until it was lost
at AppcmattoX.
Hs was widely popular, both in this city
and in Powhatan, and his friends were
greatly shocked to learn of his sad death.
Major Finney WIS married about eleven
years ago to NJ; Emily Greed. of Ohio,
who with bright little girl OF seven,
survives him.
He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. p.
c. Battelle OF this city, and two broth
ers-Colonel w. W. Finney, of this city,
and Mr.. L. Harvey F'inney, OF Washing
ton D. c.
Major Finney was man of unusual at
tainments, kind and genial in his nature
strictly loyal in his friendships md a true
type of a Virginia gentleman
The funeral took place at 8 o'clock
Yesterday afternoon from the late res
idence, and the interment was in Holly
wood