Excerpt from the Beacon Flashes column:

Mr. F.L. BOND, a well-known citizen of Tarboro, disappeared Monday night, Aug. 25th from his home, leaving his clothes and shoes just as he had taken them off to retire.  It is supposed he has committed suicide by drowning, as his track was seen near the river next morning.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 5 September 1890. Available online at digitalnc.org.