The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-04-24
EXTRAORDINARY SELF .sACRIRICE
By CHINESE WIDOW.

Hong Kong paper contains the following
account by an eye witness of voluntary sacri.
fee of life by disconsolate widow: A few days
since met q Chinese procession passing through
the foreign settlement, escorting q young female
in scarlet and gold, in richly decorated chair.
the object OF which found was to invite the
public to come and see her hang herself. stem
she had resolved to take in consequence Of the
death of her husband, by which she had been
left q childess widow. Both icing orphans.
this event had severed her dearest earthly ties.
and she hoped by this sacrifice TO secure 70 her.
self eternal happiness, and meet with her hue.
band in the next world. l repaired ON the DAY
appointed to the indicated spot. We had scarce.
ly arrived when the same procession was seen
advancing from the joss-house of the widows m.
tive village towards scaffod and gallows erec.
ted in an adjacent field, surrounded by hundredso Of
natives Of both sexes. The female portion, a.
tired in the gayest holiday costume, we're very
numerous.
The procession having reached the foot of the
scaffold. the lady was assisted to ascend BY her
male attendant, and, after having welcomed the
crowd, partOok with some female relations of Q
repast prepared for her at table on the scafyold
which she appeared to appreciate extremely.
child in arms was then placed on the table,
which she caressed aud adorned with necklace
she had worn herself; she then took an orna-
mented basket containing rice, herbs and flowers,
and whilst scattering them amonst the crowd de-
livered short address, thanking them for their
| attendance, end apnoldng the motive which
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 delay was
occasoned by the discovery of the absence Of
reluctant brother, pending whose arrival let me
| describe the means of immola ion.
The ga.lows formed by an upright timber
on each side Of the scaffold supporting q stout
bamboo, from the centre Of which was suspen.
ded loop of red cord with q email wooden ring
embracing both parts OF it,, which was covered
with red silk handkerchief, the whole thing
being surmounted by awning. The missing
brother having been induced TO appear, the
| widow now proceeded 10 mount On chair placed
| under the noOse and to ascertain its fitness for
her reception, deliberately placed her head in
it, then Withdrawing her head, she waved fnal
adeu to the adniring spectators and committed
herself TO its embraces for the last time throw.
ing the red handkerchief over her head. Her
supports were being Withdrawn, when she Was
reminded by several voices from the crowd that
she had ommitted to draw down the ring which
would tighten the cord round her neck.
Smiling acknowledgements of the reminder.
she adjusted the ring, and motionng away her
supports, was left hanging in md-air-a suicide.
With extraordinary self possession she nov
placed her hande together before her, and con.
tinued to perform the manual chin chins, until
the convulsions OF strangulation separated them,
and che was dead. The body was left hanging
about half an hour, aud then taken down BY bei
|. male attendants, one Of whom inmediatly tool
, possession Of the halter, and was about to seve'
it. for the purpose of appropriatine . portion
when . struggle ensued. This is sbe third in
, stance of suicide of this sort within - many
, weeks. The authorities quite unable 70 Pre-
vent it, and monument is invariably erected 4
the memory of the devoted widow. p