New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-01
Newp ork Dailp Gribn,re
SUICIDE OF A SPIRITUALIST.

fact that NJ. John b. Fairbanks, gentleman web
known in scientific circles in this city had committed
su,cid. Since then have obtained further infrma-
ton in regard the man, and the which led 10
his sudden desth. Mr.. Fairbanks was native Of this
State and was bell. We, born in Leou CattarauSus
Comfy. where his parents slill re.ide. He studied
law a, MouiiceIlo under Gen. Niven and prscticed a:
The ber for some years Being Il decided mechanical
,ur Of mind he became an attorney for paertees and
removed 10 thus city, where he was connected with
The tuhfc American az assistant editor He con-
timed in this position until about years ago when
h. h that journal ard entered upon the business OF
American and European patcn. agent, hiring an
offce in the store Of Hessrs. Foslers & Wells
uhich he occupied up 10 the period OF his decease.
He had sipgulary iginativs uind, was somewhat
,oted as an inventor having contributed several vala
able mproven erts in mechanics, and was f.r ad-
vepced in the invention Of univ. nal language. But
y seems that biz originally well bal ,nc, mind received
severe shock through unfortunate love affair.
end be became distracted and gloomy from that sme.
Subsequently he lost dear sister which preyed very
u,uch upon bis mind Hearing such wonderful stories
Of the miracles performed by the Spirtaass, he be-
cane possessed with most ardent desire 10 conmuni.
cate with his departed relative. With this object
ne three or four months ago he took to reading the
publications of the Sprtualets and such was his
avldity for information upon ritlal subjects,
that be became constant attendfnt at
the eiIc.s Of the Rappers, and obtained introduce
ton. TO noted mediums cl4rvoyanis mesmerists and
mscpetz,rs, by whom he was speedily converted.
From that time he felt assured that at all times he
va, attended by good and evil spirits, AMI at length
iobued himself with the belief that the spirit %: his
depsrted sitter held sweet converse with hun, ndu
encipe his mind and heart TO love virtue and shun all
tina, was evil Wherever he went he full of his
neulv-acgnired faith. and sought to convert to his
views all with whom he came in contact t. the lady
in whose bou,e be lodged, aud Der family, be fire.
ouepth communicated his opinions end discussed in
the most exalted strain about the felicity OF those who,
white bound TO life with all its grossuess and uncharl
tableness wee enabled to lift Themselves above this
material sphere throw off the dro-s of their humanity
apo ell in the heavens among The spirits OF the pure
and he inst communing with the llved departed
His friends both at bis boarding house aud at his
Office end, svored TO dssuade him rom maxim further
acquaintance with such Improbable toings, bur he
only she ok his head in pity attneir unbeef, and smed
at what he styled thir ncreduhty His intercourse
with the spirit-word was not always Of the beatihc
character which we have described. 'metimes he
WIS much troubled in his mind Grave doubts OF the
eoupdness OF his belief occasionally came over his
mind, ana he appeared very sad and detected Some
tint be had visits from evil spirits and groane a1dd
in lis anguish. One night, in phticular, short time
before bis death, be had q dream which caused him
% much distress of mind that his groanings aroused
the whole house. When the family went - his room
Ia INQUIRE the cause, be said that it was al right the
pose was caused by the spirits, and that De had been
receiving NEE cages from his ss.r The folio wing day
he warned the family t. have not ing 70 do with NEE
merism cairvoyance or spr'ualsm. Yet he soon
unaffected the same interest and pleasure in his iath
and predlct.d vita earnestncss that sPntuasn womb
ere long become the prevailing faith, sweeping
sway all other creeds dogmas and sects. He also re-
marked to q young lady present, You Will 1--we TO
SIC that time, but shall not. In the mean time, Mr.
Fnbauks attended TO his usual business, and uothng,
a.de from this, awakened any suspicons as to his
sapity On the hight before his death he sat up late,
absorbed in reading the Bible, and talked loud as
though conversiug with companion. although he was
quite alone. Early Saturday morning he arose and
after writing letter which cannot @ found, he went
fom the fourth floor, which ne rooms 20 an unoc-
cupied room upon the fifth floor. young lady in an
a, jhIi apartment heard him raise q window and
utter loud groan. She INN. datey looked out ahd
saw him falling To the sidewalk. He struck upon his
head cru hing hi. forehead and face in fnghtul man.
p,r and causing instant death Deceased was single
man and aided in the house Of Mr.. Earle No. IDS
Sixth avenue That he was bent on suicide il shown
b, the fact that be had q rope in one pocket aud
razor in the other. Among numerous papers found IN
the possession of deceased some spiritual com
mui icatiops and the folosng in lead penci, on
piece Of printed paper, without date or signature:
certainly insane Write TO my father to settle my
estate. Thisis the dAy 10 live"
Itroud ,eem that deceased was infatuated by
spiriuahsm as entertain the belief that he could at
will leap gulf that divides time from eternity,
and jim hi. s.ter in the spnt world. What influence
the following tran,cendepts staDzas may have exered
upon bis mind u.t be left 70 conjecture, though the
lean" is suggestive of his manner OF committing
suicide:
A leap 10y Soul, DER the gull Of time,
To the dim and d-tsbt ages
Ere ,hir world was dark with the stain OK crime,
Ere Sin bad earned his wages
When the world was young sud the angels sung
With the morning stsrs ohOrds,
And n. Deity his -bsdnws flung
Unvailed and bright before ~
leap, NY Soul 10 tho primal home
or uiapkibds father, mother;
Where eear'h xb- h"oT, aud The sky was dome,
And The living lOv ed esEh other!
Ere be chokir dus, and the rio' rust
OF trades, str,fes, irms and fashions
Had wrBpyed Wap soul In Ib1tnsOme usrI
And cusl ed i;s bobe passions.
leap, nv Soul. to The days Of eld
Wh.E he heart yer wore dmple;
w eD the law the Patriarch compelled
Wee iatherly and 'lmple
Oh the days Of yore, 10 be tine tei'fe
The Dollar almighty;
When "la,cb-siTiDg hung 0ats0e me o"t'
Ard the heart OF usn 0ea: r'sHtiy!
leap, NV Soul, to The age Of Chns',
vi. the truth piuiily SPOKEN;