The Sun. — 1862-04-19 (London, England)

THEATRE BY FIRE.  DREADFUL SUICIDE IN BLACKHEATH  2 U.N. EL.  The following is a more detailed account of this attempt than has yet been given :—" The passengeners by the twelve o'clock down train from London-bridge, soon after entering the long dark tunnel under Blackheath, were affrighted ou Wednesday by the report of a pistol shot in one of the carriages, which reverberated along the vaulted. Tkof with startling effect on the occupants of dithost every carriage, many of whom imagined it to be some danger signal, and were in momentary expectation of a collision. On reaching the Charlton station it was discovered that a respectable-dressed man, apparently about fifty years of age, was crouching in a half recumbent posture in one corner of a thirdclass carriage with a frightful wound over the right temple, which was bleeding copiously. The pistol was still firmly retained in his grasp, the contents having torn away a clear passage through the rim of his hat, passed through the occiput, and lodged, it is supposed, in the brain. Dr. Gatehouse was promptly in attendance, and, together with the stationmaster, accompanied the sufferer, who still survived, to Woolwich, where he was placed on a shutter and removed to one of the waiting-rooms. Two other passengers, a man and a woman, occupied seats in the same compartments, but they were unable to assist the inquiry, the place being at the time in utter darkness. It was ascertained by several documents found in his pockets that the sufferer's name and residence were as follow :—Henry C. Missing, draper and mercer, Waterloo-house, Tranquil-vale, Blackheath. A banker's memorandum-book, containing entries of money transactions and deposits at the London and Westminster Bank, 17s. in silver, and a return ticket from London to Blackheath, were found in his pockets, and on a leaf of his pocketbook was written in a clear mercantile hand the following My most beloved Wife—l am in a peaceful state of mind this morning. My oppression is going off. I feel bow blessed it must be to be at rest ; and where, surely, we shall meet again, to part no more. When I die—and I know not how soon that may be—l trust you will not grieve for me as one without hope. I know Christ came to save sinners, and into his hands I commend my soul. I cannot help rushes of despair, which have 1 been on me so often of late. They are not to be got rid of. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away. I hope by one manner or another a decent maintenance will remain for you. If I live it must be otherwise, for my mind is utterly incapable of working out the bias towards a good result. Farewell, farewell ! God protect you, and forgive your distracted husband !' Information of the event was telegraphed by the station-master at Woolwich Dockyard to Blackheath, and at half-past two the sufferer's wife and one of the neighbours arrived in a cab. It was, however, considered advisable that she should not be permitted to see her husband, who was still breathing but pulseless, and who survived till five minutes past three, when he expired, Dr. Gatehouse being constantly in attendance. It was stated at the time that the probable cause of the act was the withdrawal of his stock in trade, which he had held on commission, and a want of confidence on the part of the mercantile house in London, where, it was supposed, he had that morning made a last and successful attempt to redeem his credit."