Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-06-15
A Terrible Tragedy near New Castle.
4 pou oommtts suteide 1g Hanalna.

A shocking tragedy which has plunged |
happy family in to the very depths of unul
terable woe, occurred near New Castle last
Thursday morning. The facts of the terrible
affair are as follows:
Some years ago, Mr.. Ezekiel Fols, gen
tleman universally respected for his kind
ness of heart and excellent character, resid-
ing ON farm near New Castle, had bound
to him boy named VIM. Collins, whom he
took from the Children's Home in this city.
He was adopted into the family, and treated
as one OF them IN every respect, ,-partici-
pating in their pleasures and amusements.
So kindly was he cared lor, and so careful
were they TINT his education should not be
neglected, that Mrs. Fols, lady OF culture
and refinement, who was formerly an edu-
Gator of the young, took him under her per-
sonal charge and instructed him in the Ord-
nary branches of an English education. Be-
ing a very bright and active boy, he learned
rapidly, and bid fair to become smart and
successful man. These kindnesses he fully
reciprocated, and was warm in ms express
| sions of gratitude and determination never to
leave them. Shortly before the unhappy ter
mination Of his life he told his comrades that
he intended 10 spend his life with his pro.
tors.
STRANGE ACTIONS.
Although when in company with others
he always appeared lively and hilarious, of
late, when al work, he was frequently dis
covered stopping and looking intenlly off
INTO vacancy, and up into the heavens, and
down at The ground, al the same time NUT
tering to himself, hut no attention was paid
to this as al all other times lie appeared per-
iscily Tree iiom care.
MIssIEo.
Last Thursday morning lie went ont 10
milk the cows, as was his custom, but NOT
returning nj the usual time, on n seureh be-
/ ing instituted, II was found that he had gone
OFF without completing his work. This ere.
ated great surprise, and as efforts had been
! made to induce him TO run off and leave hi;
, home, ii was supposed he had listened TO the
solicitations OF his evil adviser and gone of
1 with her.
HIS BODY FOUND.
Last Friday morning, gentleman who
c was visiting MIR. Fus, went out into the
k barn to get some hay, when on entering the
8 door he was horror struck at behoding
. | blood-lree2ing sight. Hanging from one o
= the raliers by II new piece of plough line
a was the body ol the unfortunate Collins
y Rushing from the barn, the gentleman CAV,
u the alarm, and family and neighhors hurne'
I, to the scene OF the terrible and heart-rend
y ing tragedy A physician was summoned
y Uner Pfendcrgast
IL APPEARANcE OF THE SUICIDE.
1t His whole appearance indicated that Ii
n had died without struggle Instead oi tli
J. mouth being closed aud the tongue protrut
ing, as is customary in such cases, he locke
i. natural and well. DIR. Merit, the phys
i, clan in attcn lance, pronounced his nee
~ u, broken aud that death must have spcedil
~ ~ followed.
n HOW THE DEED WAS DONE.
m 1t is supposed he len his work Thursda
morning, and proceeded 10 The barn, whel
-, he obtained u plough liue. This he tied
III one Of the railers over head, standing on
IL cross lie. Then fixing the moose, and plaC
o. ing IL round The meek, made the fatal plunL
PC which launched Inn into eternity, falling
ne distance ol lour or five feet. From the tin
he he left off milking til! lie was found, it
supposed lie was in the barn.
he NO CAUSE FOR THE ACT
y can be assigned, as he was always of ha
D. py and conleuted disposition, and appear
he greatly attached 10 his home. lie was on
Ia fourteen years of age, and was afflicted WI
those cares which sometimes lead older al
of more experienced persons to seek selfd
ct. structiOn as means To alleviate their tro
n bles.
o.. AN uNNATURAI MoTHER.
A woman living in Wilmington has,l
la now always claimed lin as her child, "a
iu ial on on numerous occasions has used ali /
s iss powers of persuasion 10 induce hlm TO des
hn his protectors and go with her, but wltht
ii" having the least influence over lin;
when she learned of his death she den
ra the relationship and would have nothing
al do with him. Her conduct is uruccounta
vas and We hope her first representations W,
false, that we may be spared the phin
knowledge that mother could become
leS degraded as 10 iolsake her Offspring ut 81
lhe time.
ees @ The verdict rendered by the Coroner '
ien ~ IN accordance with the above statements
UNI