The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-04-28
Mnhnsh nnlIege.

" HARAANA pm
Editors journal:
Being an Evansville boy" and
for the benefit of the Alumni and
many friends of Wabash College in
the city, [ seek through your col
umns to correct the reports made in
various papers ofthe land concerning
the treatment of Mark Kirby by the
Faculty of this institution, and the
probable cause of his suicide at Fort
Wayne
Mr.. Kirby was q member OF the
present Freshman Glass, having the
Ministry in view, and was universally
admired for his character and ability.
He was, before his entrance to this
College, addicted to drinking, and was
supposed By all to have completely re-
formed. Last Spring, being severely
tempted under peculiar circumstances,
the old APPETITE returned with all its
wonted vigor and be became intoxI-
Gated. He informed the Faculty of
his misfortune and gave promise to
reform. The Faculty sympathized with
him and did all in their power to con-
summate his reformation. The Presi-
dent advised and prayed with him, as
father with his own son, warned
him against dangers, and counseled
him IN regard to his future conduct,
and di,t not tell ham he could not re-
turn To College, nor gtUe him any mt
n1dtiJn to thut effect One Of the Pro-
fessor5 assisted him from his private
means. and he received that care and
Kindness from the President and Pro-
fessoTs which every student receives at
their hands His room was reserved
for him by Prof. Campbell till it was
ascertained he was not TO return,
which, without other evidence, proves
conclusively that the Faculty did not
refuse him admittance, but expected
his return to College.
Mr.. Kirby, during the late cam
paigu, was engaged IN canyassing one
of the districts Of Ohio. Being a
very popular speaker, he was subject
ed, during the excitement OF the
campaign, to great temptations and
again tell. From that time till his
tragic death he has been almost con-
stantly under the influence of strong
drink. He left note saying, This
never would have happened had the
President and Professors OF Wabash
College sympathized with an erring
boy as christian men should sympa
thlze with wanderers"
a member of the Coroner's Jury
publishes a card In the Fort Wayne
Dem0crat, saying: All the circum-
stances connected with the unfortu
nate event prove, beyond the shadow
of doubt, that, at the time of com
uniting the suicide, as we'll as for
some time previous, he was insane. 3
This will show that Mr.. Kirby
vas not accountable for what he
wrote in that note. Had he been
in possession of his right mind he
certainly could not have made so Sc
we're, as we'll as untrue charge against
Faculty so warmly attached to him.
Mr.. Kirby was man of very excit-
able temperament, high sense of hon
or and true manhood. His insanity,
heightened By remorse for the crime
with which he was charged, we think,
caused him to commit the rash act
and write that note, which all, cogni-
zant of the facts, deeply deplore.
He was man of about twenty-four
years of age, and member of one of
the best families in Thorntown.
Being an intimate friead of Kirby
for three years. and a member of the
same Fraternity and Society, [ make
these statements with the greatest re-
speet ana charity for the memory of
my deceased friend.
We hope this will exonerate the
President and Professor from all
blame. and enable the many friends
of Wabash College to correctly under
stand this sad affair.
Yours truly,
julius A. COLEMAN.