The Sun. — 1844-09-06 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDES IN  SUFFOLK.  The suicide of the Earl of Stradbroke's head gamekeeper was announced in The Sun this week. Scarcely had the sensation caused by the act somewhat abated, than the neighbourhood of Henham-park was thrown into a renewed state of excitement by the report that another of the Noble Earl's keepers had destroyed himself. The situation held by this second suicide was deseribed as that of superintendent of the other gamekeepers, including among his duties the supervision of the horses, dogs, &c., belonging to the Earl of Stradbroke. His name was Cruxey ; and from the few facts that are to be gathered from the many rumours, it would appear that on Sunday afternoon (but little more than 24 hours after the frightful death of his fellow-servant) the unhappy man went into the lower apartment of his own cottage, situate in the park, and with his gun deliberately shot himself. At the time of the act one of his Lordship's grooms was lying in the room immediately above that in which it was committed, confined to his bed from the effects of a serious accident he had met with but a short time since. Many rumours are about professing to account for the melancholy deed with respect both to Cruxey and Easey, neither of whom seem to have had any domestic incentive to the commission of so rash an act. Cruxey had been seen but a few minutes previous to his death in excellent spirits. One report attributes the death of both to their anxiety and dread of meeting their master (who was expected at Henham-park on Saturday, on his return from his Irish estates, but who is not now looked for till this week), fearing his anger that such extensive depredations should have been allowed among his preserves as have lately thinned the numbers of his pheasants, &c. Another rumour states that Cruxey had robbed Easey's portion of the preserves of many pheasant's eggs, &c., and laid them under the birds on his cover, so as to figure before the Noble Earl as the more prosperous and worthy steward ; the consequence of these acts was the suicide of Easey from vexation, and the subsequent imitation of his rash example by Cruxey, who feared that all would transpire and his delinquencies be detected. He did not bear so good a character as the head keeper did. A third cause assigned is, that both the deceased have for some time past been carrying on a system of plunder ; robbing their master's preserves, and sending the game to market for sale. It is supposed that the inquest which was to have been held on Easey's body on Monday will have been postponed to allow of both examinations taking place on the same day, many of the witnesses in the one case being equally necessary to the other. A third suicide has just been committed in the vicinity of Halesworth. The unfortunate individual in this instance is a young lady named Burgess, who possessed considerable personal attractions. She is said to have been excited to the fatal act by disappointment in love. She effected her purpose by throwing herself into the river about a mile below the town. These melancholy occurrences so rapidly succeeding each other have naturally caused a great and painful sensation and regret here.