The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-05-07
SELF-SACRLFICE BY "A CHINESE
WIDOW -- -.

Along Kong paper contains the following ac-
count by an eyewitness, of voluntary sacrifice jof
life by disconsolate widow: .s s4lu'
A few DAYS since met Chinese procession
passing through the foreign settlement, escorting
young female in scarlet gold, in richly decorat
ed chair, the object of which found was to invite
the public to come and her hang herself--a
step she had resolved to take in consequence of
the death of her husband, by which she had been
left childlcss widow. Both being orphans, this
had severed her dearest earthly ties and she
hoped by this sacrifice to to herself aeternal
happiness, and meet with her husband in the next
world repaired on the day appointed, to the
indicated spot We had scarcely arrived wien
the same procession was seen advancing from the
joss-house of the widows native village, towards
scaffo,d and gallows erected in an adjacent field,
and surrounded by hundreds Of natives Of both
sexes The female portion attired in their gay
est holiday costume, were very numerous. -
The procession having reached the foot Of the
scafold the lady was assisted to ascend by her
male attendant, and after having welcomed the
crowd, partook with some female relations Of
past prepared for her at a table on the scafold,
which she appeared to appreciate extremely. A
child in arms. was then placed upon the table,
which she carcsscd and adorned with a necklace
size had worn herself; she then took an ornament
ed basket containing rice, herbs, and flowers and,
cred short address thanking them for their at
tendance, and upholding the motives which had
urged her to the step she was about to take. This
done, salute Of three bombards announced the
arrival of the time for the performance Of the last
act Of her existence when a delay was occasioncd
by the discovery of the absence Of a reluctant
brother, pending whose arrival let me describe the
means of extermnation. The gallows was 'formed
by ansupf ghetinber on each side of the scaffold
ira yNR
which was suspendedsa loop of red cord with q
small wooden ring embracing both parts Of IL,
which covered by red silk hankerchief, the
whole lining being surmountcd by an awning '1"'
The missing brother having been induced 10 ap-
pear, the widow now proceeded to mount on chair
placed under the moose and TO ascertain its fitness
for her reception deliberately placed her head IN
it, thea Withdrawing her head. she waved final
adieu to the adIpiring spectators and committed
herself to its embraces for fhe last time, throwing
the red handkerchief over her head. Her support
ers were now about to be Withdrawn; when she
was reminded by several voices from the crowd
that she had omitted to, draw dewR the ring that
was to tighten the cord around her neck Smiling
an acknes sled cement of the reminder, sue adjust
ed the ring, and n,otioning away her Enpports was
left hanging in mid air--a suicide. With extra.
ordinary sclf-possession, she DOW placed her hands
together before her, and continued to perform the
manual chin-ehins until the commissions OF
separated them, and she was dead.
The body was left hanging about an hour, and then
taken down by her male attendants, eof whom
took possession of the halter, and was about to
sever it, for the purpose of appropriating q por-
ton, when struggle ensued. This is the third
instance of snicide of this sort within as many
weeks. The authorities are quite. unable to pre-
vent and monument is in variably erected to the
memory of thesdeyotcd Widow.a.aasf n rF'-.. =
The Virginia Convention has passed resolution
inviting President Davis and the Confederate