Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1881 — Dead at His Sweetheart’s Feet. [ARTICLE]

Dead at His Sweetheart’s Feet.

A Richmond (Va.) special of 0ct.,29, says: A gentleman Who arrived in the city yesterday furnishes the details of a most tragic and distressing suicide, which occurred Monday night at the residence of Mr. Joseph M.Blanton, in Cumberland County. A young man named Richard Kirk, from Mobile, Ala., who had lately graduated from the University of North Carolina, had been for sometime paying his devoirs to Miss Kate Faris, also. of Mobile. The parents of the young lady objected to his attentions, and in order to put a stop to them.sent her on a visit to Mr. Blanton.who is a relative or connection of the Faris family. The young man, it seems, determined not to be thwarted, and started from Mobile last week to see his love in Virginia. Arrived at Farmville, he drove to Mr. Blanton’s house, seven miles distant, on Monday morning last. His reception by the objector his affections it is presumed, was anything but favorable, for he left Mr.- Blanton’s house very precipitately, and, returning to Farmville, was observed to indulge quite freely in strong drink. During the early afternoon, it is said, he went to a gunsmith named Baker, procured a pistol, which he got Baker to load for him. He then hired a team from Smithson’s livery stable, taking with him a colored man named George Diggs, and drove back toMr.Blanton’s i house. It was then late in the afterI noon, an J the gentleman of the house 1 observing his excited condition was at . first little inclined to Allow the young ' lady to see him. He was. however, finally announced, but Miss Faris would only Consent te see him 1 in company with Miss Millie Blanton. The two’young ladies accordingly went to the parlor, and. out of abundant caution Mr. Blanton accompanied them. They had scarcely entered when Kirk whispered ts Miss Faris, and she requested Mr. Blanton to retire. Mr. Blanton witndrew to the hall, where he walked up and down near at hand as if fearine some trouble. In a few moments the report of a pistol was heard. Rushing into the parlor. Mr Blanton beheld Miss Faris lying on the floor. He picked her up and carried her to the sofa under the impression that she had been shot. He soon 'onnd she had only swooned, and, looking around, beheld young Kirk stretched dead upon the floor. He had shot himself through the head, the ball entering the right ear. and going directly through the head had passed out the left ear.