Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1859-02-12 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

FATAI. LEAP BY A DESEETEK.—A few days since, as the mid-day train from the north was proceeding throogh the Shughorough tunnel on the Trent Valley Railway, between Stafford aid Colwich, a yotmg soldier of the I Ith Regiment of Foot. named Benjamin Arch. who Lad deserted. and uas und.r care of a miiitary escort to Weeilon barracks, succeeded in getting through the window of the ca•riage, and alighted er. the wooden step, where he remained nntii the train emerged from the tunnel. when he jumped off, and falling received injures which resulted in his death early on the following morning. It is stated by the escort that the deeased man slipped the handcuffs, but it is supposed that he was allowed to ride without them. An inquest has been held on the body, and a verdict of 'Accidental death' returned.—War rhampton aironith.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT CHFLTENHAM —Considerable consternation was occasioned among a portion of the inhabitants of high-street and its vicinity, on the evening of Thursday, by the report that a foreigner, a Swiss by birth. named Philibert de Chastellain. had shot hielself, through some disappointment in a love affair. This gentleman, who was known ss Baron de Chastellain, had during the last month or five weeks been lolging at the Light Bells Comm rcial Hotel, Church-street, one of the many thoroughfares leading into High-street. He came to Cheltenham to pursue an acquaintance he bad formed with the daughter of Mr. Sseolan, a ph dographic artist, who has an establishment here, their intimacy having first sprung up in Manchester, where the Baron is w,-II known. Since his arrival, it is reported that lie has repeatedly seen the object of his attachment, but whether with her parent's consent is not stated. It is publicly known, however, that they have been present together at private parties, and in every respect he has evinced for her a most desperwe passion. Latterly it has been noticed by the landlady of the hotel where the Baron was staying, that he wit+ at times much depressed, and was seemingly full of trouble, and exactly three weeks ago yesterday she was somewhat alarmed by his purchasing a pistol in the town, which he showed to her on his return home. With na ural prudence and foresight she communicated this circumstance to the Skeolans, aud an effort was made by Mr. Skeolan, jun., who was his companion, to obtain the weapon from hint, but without succ. RS. Happening, however, one day to meet Mr. Skeolan's servant maid, the baron himself voluntarily gave up the pistol to her, it being then loaded, and by her it was conveyed to her young mistress (Miss Skeolan), in whose possession it remained until within a very short time of the suicidal attempt. How it got back into the baron's possession is tiot stated. Yesterday morning he rose about nine o'clock, and at one o'clock dined at the market ordinary at the hotel. Soon after dinner he retired to his bedroom, as was understood, in order to prepare for his leaving Cheltenham, which lie had previously said lie was about to do. In the course of the afternoon a message was brought to him by Miss Skeolan's servant maid, and by her delivered to him in his bedroom; but she had scarcely quitted the hotel before the inmates were alarmed by the bell in the baron's apartment ringing violently. A domestic immediately answered it, and was horrified to discover t, at the baron had shot himself in the chest, a pistol being still on the bed. When communicated with, he cried out, ' I have shot myself, but cannot die, Mary Jane,' th .t being Miss Skeolan's Christian name. Surgeons were immediately sent for, and every possible assistance rendered. Up fl the dressing-table at the side of the bed were numerous letters, all packed up, and supposed to be of an amatory nature ; besides three which had just been written, two being ad lressed to gentlemen in Paris, and one to Naples. They were sealed, and p.stage-stamps ready affixed for po-ting Th re was in addition, also another letter, sealed, but not directed, and also lying upon the table was a portrait of the young lady with some of her hair attached. The most unremitting medical att •ntion had been bestowed, hut at present the condition of the baron is almost hopeless. 'Die pistol was charged with shot, according to his own admission, and the weapon was placed at the pit of the chest It does not ssem, however, to have been in very close proximity to the heart.