Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-06-06
Melancholy Suicide.

Our citizens were astounded on Thursday
morning last (May 30th) by the intelli :
gence that Mr.. JoHs HALL. of Middletown, in
this county. had committed suicide by shooting
himself He was living at the time with his
son-in- Jaw, Mr.. RoBlsoN French, formerly of
Millersburg. The occurrence took place about
6 o'clock in the morning when the family were
taking breakfast in another part of the house.
Mr.. F. had been to his room about an hour pre-
vious, giving him portion of medicine usually
administered in the morning, but discovered
nothing unusual in the conversation or conduct
of his relative. The instrument used was pis-
tol, and instead of bullet, which he probably
could not procure without awakening suspicion,
he used a nail. hpenetrated the head just above
the right ear, partly passing ont above the left.
As soon as discovered, physician was called
in who extracted the nail, but could do moth
ing towards saving the life of his patient, who
fingered until about 9 clock P. NJ of the same
day, unconscious, but seemingly not insensibls
to pain. He was buried on the Saturday follow
ing in the grave yard near Middletown, by the
side of a wife and three children, who bad
precededed him to that world, the uncertainties
of which he was willing to risk in order to get
rid of suffering in this. His funeral was large
ly attended by those who had known ard re-
spected him for many years
Mr.. HALL was an early settler in this county,
having located at Middletown some 80 years
ago, where he has resided ever since. He was
an active, intelligent business man, and had
many friends and acquaintancss in this and
the adjoining counties, who will hear of his
death with sorrow. In the fall of 1859, he, in
conneMon with son -in-law, Mr.. FISHER, went
to Cincinnati for the purpose of engaging in bu-
siness there.
In the month of December of that year, he
was thrown from buggy fracturing his thigh.
The injury was a severe one, causing him a
great deal of suffering. As soon as it was pos
sible his family had him brought home, but
medical skill and kind nursing seemed to be
OF no effect in restoring health. DR.. PoMER1xE,
who attended him in his last moments, made
few remarks on the occasion of his funeral,
stating that after receiving the injury he kept
himself under the influence of chloroform al
most constantly until it was denied him by his
physician. He then resorted to morphine as a
substitute, which has a similar influence upon
the brain. The excessive use of morphine had
tendency to depress his mental and physical
e energies to such degree that he became mel
ancholy and frequently expressed himself tired
of life. The following letter found upon his
person after his death, tells the remainder of
the sad story. He preferred to die by his own
hands to suffering longer. after all hope of res
torasion to health had departed.
~I wish no one living to be censured for this
act. 1t was done wholly because of my long|
suffering, too strong to endure. Having lost ali
hope of ever getting well enough to enjoy my
life any more, l prefer leaving this. with the|
best kind Of feelings to all my children, and al
short exhortation to them, that is, do all the
good you can and as little wrong as possible,
through the balance of your days. So FAREWELL
to one and all" JOHN HALL.