Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1881-12-10 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

THE SUICIDE OF COLONEL STANLEY.  A sad affair occurred at the Castle Hotel, Windsor, on Friday afternoon in last week. Colonel Stanley, went, about three o'clock, into the commercial-room for the purpose of writing a letter, and was shortly afterwards feund lying on his back upon the floor by a lad who entered the apartment. The police were at once commuSicated with, and Chief Superintendent Hayes, on arriving, discovered that the unfortunate man had shot himself in the forehead with a six-chambered revolver, which he still grasped in his right hand. Five chambers remained loaded and one had been discharged. • The letter which the deceased had written before he committed suicide was found sealed upon the table. It is said he was related to the late Dean Stanley. his wite, who died nine months ago, tolLl her father she expected he would destroy himself. Be had-seen a good deal of service in India, and was a brave soldier.  The following additional particulars have been given respecting the unfortunate gentleman:— Colonel Stanley's eventful career seems to have been tinged with a considerable amount of romance, and from what can be learned of his antecedents, he would appear to have become estranged from his friends early in life. Colonel Stanley is believed to have joined the Turkish army, first an a cadet, serving during the Crimean war; and judging from his portrait, in which the breast of his cavalry staff-officer's uniform is almost hidden by deoora`tions—there are five stars and seven medals —he must have greatly distinguished himself in that eventful campaign. In the certificate of his second marriage, which took place on the 15th of August, 1872, at the Registry-office, Lancaster, the deceased is described as "Richard Stanley, 36, Bolton-le-6ands, colonel unattached, his proper name being John Stanley, gentleman." Mrs. Stanley died at Windsor, about eighteen months ago, leaving two little boys, the offspring of the marriage. The colonel for the last twelve months lived in a suite of furnished apartments at Windsor, while the children have remained under the care of his wife's friends.  Colonel Stanley's change of fortune and embarrassed position depressed him greatly, and in the course of conversation he told his landlord that he was a "prodigal son," that he had many noble friends and connections, but could not obtain assistance, though he had written to all quarters for pecuniary aid.. On Friday morning, after receiving a letter which caused him a great deal of chagrin and disappointment, Colonel Stanley told his landlady that he was going out and that he "must put on his best togs," as, if he was a beggar, he did not want to look like one. He also said that he would see to her money, and that she need no trouble about it. The deceased eventually left the house at a quarter to seven, and did not return. After leaving Alexandraterrace, the deoeased officer visited the Castle Hotel, where he asked permission to write a letter. This was granted, and he w as lef t alone in the coffee-room. Strange to say, the sound of the shot from the revolver—a small weapon which he had had for some time—was unheard by those in the hotel, and it was not till a lad went into the apartment that the suicide was discovered. Death must have resulted instantaneously from the single wound in the head, and when assistance arrived Colonel Stanley's corpse was lying extended upon the floor with the revolver, five chambers of which were undischarged, in his hand, while the note which the deceased had written and addressed to an officer of the Guards (now absent from Windsor) was found upon the table near the body. The remains were removed to the public mortuary.  An inquest has been held, when the jury found that Colonel Stanley committed snicdde by shooting himself while in an flueptuid etaW of reinth