Aiken County ScArchives Obituaries.....Campsen, John H. June 23, 1883
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The Aiken Reporter 26 June 1883
page 2 - noted misspellings of the name in the article have not been corrected

A STARTLING SUICIDE.

Tragic Death of the Keeper of the Charleston Almshouse.

[From the Sunday News]

Yesterday morning about 7 o'clock Mr. John H. Campson, the Master of the City 
Almshouse, committed suicide in his room in the Almshouse building by shooting 
himself with a pistol./ The ball entered the forehead between the eyes, and 
death resulted in about three hours. Mr. Crampsen, at the time the deed was 
committed, was alone in his room, but it was gathered afterwards from what he 
said, that he had stood before the looking-glass, deliberately pointed the 
pistol and pulled the trigger which was to launch him into eternity. As soon as 
the report of the pistol was heard, several of the inmates of the institution 
rushed into the room and found the unfortunate man apparently unconscious. Dr. 
T.S. Grimke was sent for immediately, and when he arrived the patient spoke to 
him calmly, telling him that he had purposely committed the act and did not 
desire any medical aid. The unfortunate man's request was needless - the ball 
had penetrated for into the regions of the brain, and at 10 o'clock he died.

The causes which led Mr. Campsen to take his life, it is thought, are known and 
are painful to relate. A short time ago a young child was transferred from the 
Almshouse to the Orphanhouse, and upon being taken into the latter institution 
was submitted to a physical examination as was the custom, and it was found that 
the little thing had been terribly beaten and bore marks of the cruel stripes 
from it head nearly to its feet. The matron of the Orphanhouse promptly notified 
the board of commissioners of the condition of the child, and an investigation 
was had, which resulted in the disclosure of the fact that the child had been 
beaten unmercifully by Campsen. This fact was at once communicated to the board 
of commissioners of the Almshouse, who, at a meeting held on Friday, addressed 
Mr. Campsen a notification that his resignation would be expected by Thursday 
next. Crushed by the proof of the charges against him and the cetainty of his 
dismissal, Campsen evidently determined to end his troubles by ending his 
existence.

Deputy-Coroner James C. DeVeaux held and inquest shortly after the death and the 
jury found the following verdict: "The said John H. Campsen came to his death 
from a gun shot wound, inflicted by his own hand, on the 23d day of June 1883."

The deceased was born in Hanover, Germany, on May 10, 1840, and came to 
Charleston in 1854. He was engaged in mercantile business up to the war, when he 
entered the Confederate service in the German Artillery. He went with one of the 
companies to Virginia and there lost an arm. He is said to have been a gallant 
soldier. He was appointed master of the Almshouse upon retirement of Mr. W.W. 
Sale, about three years ago, and no serious complaints had ever been brought 
against his management. He leaves a widow and two children.

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