Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-01-07
A Sad Story Sickness, Death, Suicide.

A Sad Story Sickness, Death, Suicide.
From the Columbus Ohio State Journal, Dec. 10
About four weeks ago Rev. F. Romines
of the Dutch Reformed Church, came tc
this city from Albany, New York, to act az
the District Secretary Of the American
Colonization Society. His wife was in
poor health, and, as her relatives feared,
partially insane. 1t was thought the trI
and change of scene would benefit her,
and she accompanied him, as did her five
children, one girl about fourteen years Of
age, and four boys younger.
They located in house on Town street,
Just beyond Sixth. Before their furniture
was in place, the four boys we're taken sick
tn the scarlet fever, and the youngest
died with disease on Friday last. Mrs.
RoYnines became worse, and Mr.. Romines,
with constant watching, became ill. The
family were strangers in the city, but their
misfortunes made them many friends, who
gave all possible attention. The remains
of the boy were inferred on Monday, and
the sadness of the home, with husband
and father Frustrated, and three boys dan
eerously sick, seemed most complete.
The children were pronounced better on
Wednesday, and on Thursday the nurse
was allowed short leave of absence. The
ministers of the different churches and
others had paid frequent visits to the home
to encourage an comfort, and though the
lady of the house seemed hsart-broken
over her boys death and her husband'sill-
ness, still nothing worse than her own i'll
ness was anticipated. Yesterday the city
was startled by the announcement that
Mrs. Margaret Romines had committed
suicide by hanging, and the saddest chap
ter was yet to be told. 1t seems that the
lady had been much agitated by the recent
occurrences, and yesterday, about o'clock
left her husbands bedside, went into a
room near, locked the door on the inside,
and, making use Of a small rope, hanged
herself The Tops was fastened to some
hooks in the wall, and she had apparently
Jumped from chair. In about half an
hour her absence was noted, and search
made for her. The door was broken open
and the lifeleSs body found hanging as do
scribed above
Mr.. Romines, on hearing the conmotion,
sprang from his bed and ran into the room
in time TO receive the lifeless remains OF
his wife as the rope was cut. He loosened
the rope and carried the body to the other
room. seeming almost frantic. Mr. Lane,
Rev. Mr.. Robertson, Mr.. Taylor and 9th
ers, rendered such assistance as could be
given, but in home SO stricken little could
be said to calm or to comfort
Coroner Gaver held an inquest, the jury
returning tho verdict death by hanging,
while ina state of partial arrangement,
The agitation of the husband was terrible,
and resulted in spasmodic attack. The
scene of the lifeless mother, frantic father,
and sick children, can better be imagined
than described. lr5
Tho family last night received every pos
sible attention from neighbors and iTisnds
Their relatives had started from Albany
yesterday to visit them, andare expected tt
arrive to-day. Mr.. Romines was easier
last night, and it is thought the boys will
still continue to improve. +.