The New York herald., 1869-08-26
TUE SHAKER SUICIDE At NEW LrBaSos.


Second Inquest ON tho Body of tho Suicide
The Decreased Communicates with Her Sis
ter from the Spirit World-Statcmeut by
HUDSON. N. Y, August %, 1859.
The inquest on the body OF Ellen Calver, member
Of the United Society Of Shakers, at New Lebanon
who committed suicide by drowning herself on the
5th Of June last which was adjourned from August
to August "A, was commenced In the town Of New
Lebanon, at the hotel Of Mr. Fields at Lebanon
Springs. yesterday. very large number OF persons
were present including guests at the hotel and resi-
| dents OF the town. The Coroner was Hiram Allen.
The nrst witness called was Benjamin Gates one
Of the trustees OF the Shaker Society, unlver
sally respected, and very intelligent witness. He
testified he was at home on the day Of the suicide
when he got to the pond took an empty barrel and
helped place the body on the same, but all attempts
a. sesaseitssl9n Tat were Of no avail; the body was
quest was held by Justice Bull, OF New Lebanon
me Monday following the suicide; he had asked
squire Bull what was necessary to be done In
the case, and the Squire did not think necessary
TO cali coroner he could act In the case as he aa
OF insanity III deceased In January last he saw IL by
her eyes, and told brother OF the society IN con-
ndence what ne thought OF her case; insanity was
ualists.
Sarah Ann staudish. q member Of the society,
oHirIhed tnat Ellen mad complained of feeling bad
IN tue head previous 10 the suicide; she helped tx
the body for the CONN, ana saw no bruises on the
pooy; never heard deceased complain O. her treat.
George ). Johnson testified that he saw the body
ftnter tnter deatn. tne next day, and noticed mark on
wnnGo.could VII nos be seen great way or 1t looked
nioreSE Eas tls SIZE OF sng one Of the SISTERS
a. tn in tiat deceased must have Bit her head
| @ eta,na VIZ ""'pM OF the pond or against some suo-
,,d1 Amelia Cays sister of the deceased, an,rmed
tae drownng she tad had a talk with her the nisnt
Sd. n oao 'sa, @ t5 Sbe az breakfast before Amelia
leave without her breakfast: She rsn,ied she was not
aauuGry; about month as, Ellen acted queer but
did not complain; she lookeannnsnaiiv naie which
| for ABOUT O week. "Sf~S ""' "VA'
The witness contlnued-I bellrs> 4 have had
communication VITO Ellen since her dealn: part OF
ner communication was written down by m.; i gave
y y my brother; she told me that she would not
nave caused US the SakerS 80 much trouble ftr SIX
thousand worlds and said she lelt strange as she
stoou ny Tue water and wanted to Jump right w. but
sometning he'd her back and she knew 10 more
untll the water struck her face; have had no doubt
about her death since the communication to me she
never expressed dissatisfaction with the Shakers
mad communication last winter from the Spirit
World; was awakened early In the morning Dy a
aoud rs whispering IN my ear OF the word "Danbuiyn
saw In PRINT to my knowledge; TINS was repested
Ia my ear teree times; not knowing any such word
co9id not comprehend the meaning Of the Spirit
ana Immediately thereafter the Spirit said to me,
wait until next week--look II the papers;v | dld
60 according to the direction and found tnat there
persons having been drowned.
ihe inquest at the CONCLUSION Of this testimony was
adjourned till to-day. ~
The following statement was read at the roeetIny
Oh inc SHAKERS on sunday last at Mount Lebanon,
ana u mas been furnished to your correspondent IN
advance OF ai others. 1t is the original document
IL gives clear statement OF the case:-
SHAKER vILLAGr, NEW LrpAyoy)
Finding Ourselves ars"psd bsScrs n August 4 s
monea before the court which we esn
duty y our Of rsS ss1 ss We ss
ar as we Know concerning the deceased ~ Ellen
The parents Of said Ellen csyer sailed from England with
Philadelphia % January 1850 to he shaFers So
Ss Sy ,s stated ne town Of New county Of
daughter of James Cavs removed to The
family said Society September IT, 1854 being abou. three
lass Ellen &C. cayeT wa. therefore nuured reared by and
She ana ssr syneed bgh. Intellect .ena
ana assfosSa
sssraes ere yea and sustained m an an unblepshed reputation through
hrmne.. with large hope predominant
bad srsssy sss91ae mem.er well ss by her par.a
ssssas va. .As Assss n
poasrc and sasfaesioa Su ass Swsys a9a ss s
4 n.: e
hs % o b sp ao was taken
va. some ncnsato be- and all that could excite
Ellen Csver never heard by any in ns Shaker
sS nSr oa' w .r Of Sn dis
shaker religion therefore the only cause as some
on the uon 70 - .p & IN sna an exit
On the sorrowfnl day n which her mortal tenement
was drowned being Saturday. Jnns 1852 shout hesn
water. .s A' ns to
IN The Ssnns S, % both S.o rS sSvnss
mot az wen - those who we're q our e9mmuny The body
ton from drownng resor'od ,oTong frs then rc.
ton Sfs Ssd rs.pai0n ae warm bath and sayano
before two o'clock TO restore animation, but With
out effect rrepsrstlon was then made 10 lay out the
corpse according TO common custom. Strangers coming
TO our odlce who desired It permitted TO 90 and
psyssns s s aonS % whG m vs. sns 81 Ds ao.
coroner but most Of those present appeared was
% 20 Of sFoy s ofs o ss Of the
tns% seemed to feeOeG Oal night the
town outside the Shaker Community and sonetlnes
june 2 Mr. Bull, of New Lebanon Springs, summoned
people not belonging community. Witnesses were
duly examined, and after mature elaboration ell neces
of tea. jury verdict rendered OF Hdsati by rosnns
WINE WINE 10 a state OF temporary insanity"
not only by Shaker family, by friends and neigh
oofs outside and her brother from The corpse
our usual practice (as our collins nor orna
msnt them with plates and trimmings, but make neatly
1onteo pain case and OF the wnest socure)
II was Inferred With our usual ceremonies.
On July s 1852, after weeks interment the body
duly uohed Of the demise Of Ellen Cslyer a. w1 are
told by near neighbor TO the shakers Dr. Salmon maze
sdIng jury, Of whom reside In tho Communiy of
Shakers No mark, Of violence were found on the body
that further examination should be made which was done
and we were assured iha, nothing appeared question hs
The known profession of virgin purity te society OF Rich
she wasa member