The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-08

the popular veteran had for some time
preycd on the subject of death. He tried
to kill himself on Thursday, but the pls-
tol was fortunately not loaded, and was
taken away from him.
WAS IN ILL HEALTH.
Captain Bigger would have been sixty
two years of age on May 10th. and up
to two years ago had been hale and
hearty, with mind unusually active
The disease which preyed upon the
deceased's system, appeared at that time
and the encroachment was SO rapid that
his family became alarmed. He Was
carefully nursed, but his friends knew
that their kindness was being bestowed
upon a fast-failing soldier. None, how
ever, expected that the end would come
in such tragic manner, and the news
Of his suicide, when heard yesterday,
was a sad surprise. He was beloved by
all, and by none more than the veterans
over whose welfare he had for nine
years ruled with a brotherly devotion.
The latter part of November, at the ad-
vice of his physician, DR.. Monteiro he
applied to the Board of Visitors of the
Home for = furlough, which was readily
granted, and his adjutant, Captain w.
w. Caldwell, was appointed acting COM
mandant and is now serving in that po-
sition At the end of the furlough, which
was for a month, Captain Bigger was still
in bad health, and the Board of Visitors
decided to grant him an indefinite fur
Tough, with full pay. This seemed to con-
Germ Captain Bigger, as he hated to feel
that he was in any way accepting a
favor. He often spoke Of this feeling
and asked the veterans 10 look upon him
as their commander with his former
power of office
HAD BEEN DEPRESSED
The circumstances surrounding the last
hours OF the gallant Confederate officer
Were extremely sad.
He had premeditated and even init
mated to some of the veterans that he
would end his own life. His sons and
daughters, during his illness, had watched
him day and night. as they realized that
the disease would terminate in abEera-
ton of the mind. During the past week
the veteran had shown such favorable
signs of Improvement that they mad re-
laxed their vigil somewhat Thursday
afternoon Captain Bigger, undetected
went into his study and secured his plS-
tol. He then went into the AIosby cot
tage, which adjoins his own, and going
to the room of one Of the veterans sat
on the side of the bed, placed the
weapon against his temple and pulled
the trigger. Luckily there were no car
CI1QSeS III Tic CyilIluSI.z tIne CLICK OF C1le
ristol attracted one of the inmates OF
the cottage, who ran in the room where
the Captain was and took the pistol
from him. Z
This attempt was kept a secret by the
veteran.
SECURED THE PISTOL
Yesterday morning Captain Bigger
still determined to end his own exist
ence slipped into the Office of Captain
Caldwell, in the main hall. entered the
desk opened a drawer in which he found ar
Iver-J Johnson hammerless revolver. One
OF the chambers was empty. He put the
weapon in his pocket and walked out OF
the building toward the barn, about
fifty yards north Of the mess hall. Here
he found the farmer, Mr.. n. B. Henry
employed by the Home, busy at work
Captain Bigger loitered around the
barnyard, chatting with Henry until the
midday mess bell rang. Henry. moi