The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-22
THE FEMALE SUICIDES

Relative to the suicide of the two young ladies,
at Manchester N H., alluded to by Telegraph day
or two since we learn in addition from the Boston
papers, that of them was Miss Catherine B.
Cotton OF Pownal, Me, aged %; the other Miss
Clara c. Cochran, aged 10, a native of New Boston,
but who has lately had home with brother resi-
ding in Hopkinton. They roomed together at No
Fl, Manchester Corporation. Miss Cochran had
frequently indicated purpose to drown herself
Both had talked freely of doing so. Their whole
proceedings We're marked by great GOODNESS and
deliberation. Both of them left letters to their
friends, announcing their purpose, and giving di-
rections in regard to the settlement of their affairs
Love the occasion of the act. Having arranged
all things for the event, they left their boarding
house on Sunday evening, proceeded hand-in-
hand, and with great apparent cheerfulness, to
the bridge crossing the upper canal leading TO the
Manchester Mills, stepped together upon the stone
wall of the canal just above the bridge and together
leaped into the water.
Below we insert the letter of Miss Cochran to her
sister of Hopkinton, written just before her unme
ly decease, and carefully placed in her trunk:
MANCHESTER, Aug. IA, 1853.
Dear Sister: | received your letter last Wednes-
day, and contrary to your custom answered it the
first opportunity. Though knew it was haying
time, and, of course you would have great deal
to do, still felt provoked at your silence. You and
and then answer one of the many letters that
| receive, 1t is only o'clock. A. NJ, and | haye
began in good season so as to write to you and to
Jesse to-day. Am glad to hear that Louisa is with
you, tor little help is better than none AS for my
visiting YOU, probably never shall meet you again
in life; ere you receive this letter. shall be in the
silent realms OF the dead! Start not, dear Annie,
nor shudder, for what use can there be in dragging
out wearisome life, deprived of all enjoymentt-
| am only burden TO myself and every one else
xUhD n my
love to Joseph, to Martha and to all who for
me, or pretend to. Bury me in Vermont, by the
side of my mother, and have money enough to
pay all funeral expenses owe Mrs Maria Foss,
my room mate So Mrs Jacobs S1.229, and 50 for
my board and there is over So due me at the Amos
keag Counting Room. II there is anything left of
my money after paying my funeral expenses which
| want TO be as cheap as possible and paying my
debts send it. together with his letters, (Which you
will find in my pocket,) to John H. Sherwin, No. l40,
Fulton street, N Y.
Jesse and Joseph are probably well enough off
already, and if could aid John by few dollars, it
might do some good. copy OF Shakespeare which
| have lent John Jacobs should like to have j. ii.
s have the rest my clothes and other things you
may divide as you see fit
And now, good bye; mourn not for me- friends:
tell Jesse would like to see him once more before
die, but that cannot be.
CLARA c. COCHRAN.
To Mrs Ann NJ. Cochran, Hopkingson, N. II.
Forward quickly for it tells OF death.
The following written upon the opposite
sheet of the letter by bliss Cochran, and evidently
intended for the eye of her lover:
And now Dearest must write you few lines
though ere you receive them, the hand that pennel
them will be cold ndeath. Do not think OF me with
regret for It's better tina; it should be So
'.One more unfortunate weary of breath,
Rashly in1porrunate gone TO her death"
forgive all who have injured me; and crave for
forgiveness of you, if ] have erred, and know
have Be happy and forget me not. Even If you
marry, still twill not De wicked to cast
thought on me, and no one would love you The less
ior it. shall hope, be buried in Vermont, BY the
eide OF my mother. Farewell.
She also enclosed in her letter scraps OF poetry
which no doubt expressed her feelings at the time
OF writing.