The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-10-20
P. NJ. BUCKINGHAM
COMMITS SUICIDE
RECENTLY ELECTED HEAD Or
BANK OF WESTERN CAROLINA.
Under Nervous Strain.
Leaves Note Saying Presidency Fore
ed On Him and Is Unable TO
Stand Strain.

Barnwell, Oct 16.-This communl-
ty was shocked this afternoon when
it became known that Perry NJ. Buck
ingham, president of the Bank OF
Western Carolina, was found dead IN
his room at lhis home here by mem
bers of his immediate family, who
had been attracted by the report of a
pistol.
There was a pistol wound in his
right temple and the following note
was found clasped in his left hand:
presidency forced on me against my
will. Nervous system shattered oy
strain of new work. Brain numb. Not
over four hours sleep a night Tor
weeks. Insanity stares me in face.
Something has broken in bead today.
Fought hard to hold grip. Everything
slipping in nerves. Am doomed
Just one month ago Mr.. Bucking-
ham was elected president of the
Bank of Western Carolina, which mas
branches in eight towns i'm this Sec
ton. The elevation to this office from
that of the Barnwell branch was
over his protest, as he was an i'll man
at the time, although only his closest
personal friends realized his true
physical condition. During the short
time THAT he was active head of the
institution he reduced the banks In
debtedness over 100000 and leaves
it in excellent condition, but the con-
slant application to his duties proved
too much of strain to his overtaxed
powers of resistance, with the tragic
ending of a most useful life this af-
ternoon.
Perry NJ. Buckingham was born at
Barnwell November 6, 1852, his par
ents being J. c. and Esther Rebecca
Buckingham. He received his educa-
ton in the common schools OF this
place and St. Paul's school at Con-
cord. N. H., of which he was grad
uate in 1881. He was cashier OF the
Citizens Bank Of Barnwell until 1871,
cashier of the Bank Of Barnwell un-
til 1908, when he bcame president OF
that institution. In 1903 he was
elected vice president of the Bank OF
Western Carolina and manager OF its
branch at this place, resigning this
position a month ago to accept the
presidency made vacant by the deatn
of H. M. Dibble several months ago.
For eighteen years he was mem
ber Of the Barnwell school board OF
trustees. and in 1918 was elected
member of the Barnwel county board
of education. During the World war
he actively interested himself in all
phases of war work, being treasurer
of the Barnwell chapter of the Red
Cross society and chairman OF the
liberty loan campaigns in this county
and a great deal of the success OF
the liberty loan in this section was
due to his untiring zeal. He was
member of the Episcopal church, hav-
ing RESIGNED as senior warden just
two weeks ago.
On October 5, 1892, Mr.. Bucklng-
ham married Miss Daisy Duncan
daughter of the late W. H. Duncan,
Sr.. and a sister of the late w. II.
Duncan, clerk of court of BarnWell
county. This union was a most hap
DIV one and the sympathy of the entire
community goes out to the bereaVed
widow in her hour of grief.
Mr.. Buckingham was cashier for
railroad at Richmond, Va, and he
was later transferred to Jacksonville
Fla. as trainmaster. After remain
ing at Jacksonville for three years he
returned to Virginia as general
freight and passenger agent, with
headquarters at Richmond. He filled
THAT position for about three years
when NE moved to Barnwell.