Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-16
e Extraordinary Self-Sacrifce by a Chimes
Widow.


A Hong-Kong paper contains the following ac-
count by an eye witness of voluntary sacrifice
LOT life by disconsolate widow:
A few days since met Chinese procession
passing through the foreign settlement, escorting
a young female in scarlet and gold, in a richly
decorated chair, the object of which found was
to invite the pubic to come and see her hang
herself, step which she had resolved to take in
consequence of the death of her husband, by
which she had been left childless widow. Both
being orphans, this event had severed her dear
est earthly ties, and she hoped by this sacrifice
to secure to herself eternal happiness, and meet
with her husband in the next world. repaired
on the day appointed to the indicated spot. We
had scarcely arrived when the same procession
was seen advancing from the josshouse of the
widows native village towards scaffold and
gallows erected in an adjscent field, and sur
rounded by hundreds of natives of both sexes
The female portion, attired in their gayest holi-
day costume, were very numerous.
The procession having reached the foot of the
scatfoId 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 scaffold
which she appeared to appreciate extremely
A child in arms was then placed upon the table
which she caressed and adorned with a necklace
she had worn herself; she then took an 0rna-
mental basket containing rice, herbs, and flowers,
and, whilst scattering them amongst the crowd,
delivered short address, thanking them for
their attendance, and upholding the motives
which urged her to the step she was about to
take. This done, q salute of three bombards an
nounced the arrival of the time for the perfor-
nance of the last act OF her existence, when q
delay was occasioned by the discovery of the abb
senee of q reluctant brother, pending whose arri-
val let me describe the means of determination.
The gallows was formed by an upright timber on
each side of the scafold supporting stout bam-
boo, from the centre of which was suspended a
loop of red cord, with small wooden ring en-
bracing both parts of it, which was. covered by q
red silk handkerchief, the whole lining being
surmounted by an awning.
The missing brother having been induced to
appear, the widow now proceeded to mount on
a chair placed under the moose, aud to ascertain
it's fitness for her reception, deliberately placed
her head in it, then Withdrawing her head, she
waved final adeu to the admiring spectators
and committed herself to its embraces for the
last time, throwing the red handkerchief over
her head. Her supports were now about to be
withdrawn, when she was reminded by several
voices from the crowd that she had omitted to
draw down the ring which should tighten the
cord round her neck. Smiling an acknowledge
ment of the reminder, she adjusted the ring, and
motioned away her supports, Was left hanging in
mid-air suicide. With extraordinary self pos
session, che now placed her hands together be-
fore her, and continued to perform the manual
chin chns until the commissions of strangulation
eparated them, aud she was dead The body
was lett hanging about half an hour, and then
taken down b. her male attendants, one of whom
Immediately took possession of the halter, and
was about to sever it, for the purpose of appro.
priating portion, when struggle ensued. This
i the third instance of suicide of this sort with
in as many weeks. The authorities are quite
unable to prevent it, and monument is invaria
bly erected to the memory OF the devoted widow.