Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-02-27
From the Chicasso democrat Of Monday.
suicide Of GeOrgo W. Green.


Our citizens were startled yesterday morning
by the report that George w. Green, found guilty
Of poisoning his wife, at the Circuit Court OF
Cook County, had committed suicide. Upon pro-
ceeding to the Jail we found the report to be we'll
founded.-Mr. Andrew, the Sheriff, politely ad-
mitted us to the Jail, and showed as the body of
the unfortunate man, which had been cut down
and presented an appalling spectacle. From the
appearance of the cell, every portion of which
was shown us by Mr.. Petrie, the Turnkey, it was
evident that the unfortunate man had for some
time premeditatad the act, and that he took ev-
ry possible means to effect it, even to precluding
the possibility of his attempting to afford himself
into eternity.
1t is supposed the act was committed between
twelve and one O'Clock Sunday morning, as two
persons confined in an adjoining cell at that time
heard peculiar gurgling noise and grooming.
Upon the opening of the outside door of his cell
at the usual hour (half past y in the morning,
by the Turnkey, he observed that the quilt of the
prisoners bed was hung up as curtain before
the inside door, which is an iron grated one. He,
however, thought Green might have hung this up
to shade the light, and passed on. Shortly after,
he again went to the cell, and asked if "Mr.
Green would have his cofee;" but receiving no
answer, he drew back the quilt, and found the
prisoner suspended, hanging from the wall.
Upon thorough examination of the cell and
the body of Greene, it was found that he had
taken his morning gown, which he had ripped up
for the purpose, and breaking out the rounds at
the back of his chair, with these he forced the
gown up behind an iron bar which runs all round
the walls of the cell within a few inches of the
ceiling and knoted it at the top, SO that it could
not be drawn down by his weight. The shrinking
of the plank from their sides enabled him to get
the cloth up between the iron and the wood. He
then probably took silk handkerchief and tied
it round his neck, fastening another handkerchief
to it, and towel to that, and binding all firmly
by passing piece of linnen torn from his sheets
around his head, tying it across his forehead in o
straight knot
He then took his table, or stand, and standing
on it, fastened the towel which was knotted to
the handkerchief to the cloth-part of his morn
ing gown-and having tied his hands behind his
back, he kicked the table from under him, and
no doubt, life was soon extinct. In his struggles
he broke the tying with which his hands were
tied.
Green told several persons that he would much
rather be hung than go through the form of an
other trial; that the latter was much worse than
hanging. A short time since he told gentleman
that he would be acquitted, if tried again; that
his son George would not swear so hard against
him next time and that he could bring forward
such testimony against Mrs. Blame as would inval-
idate any evidence she might bring against him.
The corpse presented the appearance Of a man
of very powerful frame. The chest was very
large for the height, (about 5 feet 6 or ~ the
shoulders broad; the limbs very muscular. We
observe that the teeth, which though worn, are
sound, and are double teeth in front and in the
back part of the jaws.
Some time since, Green sent for his Attorney,
p. Ballingall, Esq. and proposed to him that he
would make will in his favor, if he would take
and adopt his boy, Albert. Mr.. Ballingall an
swered that he would not as one of his Counsel,
be party to such a proceeding, if he were to
pay him fifth thousand dollars. Green then got
Mr.. Ballingall to draw up will, which he,
[Greenl afterwards re-wrOte himself, making
MIR. Doyle, the jaior, and Mr.. Sammons, deputy
Sheriff, residing on the west side, his executors.
This will be deposited in the hands of MIR. Doyle.
We understands it bcqucathes the whole of his
property, real and personal, after paving his
debts, to his boy Albert, who is about six years
of age, and to the heirs of his Albert'sl body.
Green then said to Mr.. Ballingall, 81 do not
want to leave this in such shape, that if Albert
dies without issue it will revert to nv other chill
dren. | want him to have it, and if he does not
stituton. Mr.. Ballngall, what Institution in this
city would you suggest 20 Mr.. Ballingall said,
sssince that is your determination, l would sug-
gest the Young Mems Association, and the Fire
mems Benevolent Association" Green then de- |
sired MIR. Ballingall to make those Institutions
his heirs in of its not falling to the boy Al
bert, which was done. We understand that it |
may be probable he has left some property to
Mr.. Doyle, the iailor, for his kindness and attcn-
ton; also to Mr.. Petrie, the turnkey. Both of
these gentlemen, however, refused when asked by
Green, to take anything left by him, they have
enough of their own. They said to Green, that
he had better leave his money to those who were
more deserving of it.
We understand that Green leaves property va
riously estimated at from 10000 to $50 900.
We understand it is the intention of the fam
lily and relatives of Green to contest the will on
the ground of his insanity; they holding that
none but an insane person would commit suicide.
Green since his incarceration, had also exhibited
some strange actions.-EOr instance-he had new
er taken off the greater portion of his garments.
He never took off his under clothing except to
change his shirt occasionally has slept in his
pantaloons, &c. &c.