Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-11-03

md Case Of Suicidc.

MAS RENDERED GLOOMY BY LOSS OF MONEY
DRswSs iIIsisELF--ITIs son TRIES TO PREVENT
THE sUIuiDE--A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE OR DEATH.
Shortly after o'clock Sunday evening, young
man called the bridge tender, at Market street
bridge, with the cry of man overheard. Mr..
Sparks came out and heard a man struggling
in the water, and hurried to get his boat, but
before he could reach the man he had sunk to rise
no mere. The drowned man was Frank Tadman
and he had thrown himself over from the bridge
after struggle to escape his son, who attempted
to prevent the act.
Tadman WAS o saddler and has worked for
James Conner, Of this city, for over ii years.
Last Spring he rented a house on French street
near Third, his wife and her sister intending to
join in taking boarders. He bought lot of
furniture for the business but the enterprise
failed and Tadman lost about $500. by it. He
recently gave up the house and moved back to
Tatnall street where he lived before. His loss
and disappointment seem to have preyed on his
mind and the. constant brooding together with
dyspepsia and constipation. aggravated the mat
ter until he was thoroughly melancholy. He
would sit by himself in the cellar Of his house
or in the kitchen when others had gone, groan-
ing sometimes, and sometimes praying, and
again wander Off and sit in the open lots around
the city. He did not work regularly and got an
idea into his head that Mr.. Conner wanted to
get rid of him, despite frequent assurances from
that gentleman that he needed him badly and
Offers to pay him full wages If he would only
come and stay at the shop and work when he
felt able.
On Saturday, Mr.. c. engaged new hand, and
Tadman Immediately suspected that he was to
replace him. Fearing that he might have such
a suspicion, Mr.. Conner stopped him and told
him distinctly that the new hand was to work
beside him, and told him he guessed they would
get along nicely together, As soon as Tadman
went home, however, he told his wife that Mr..
Conner would soon discharge him, he had got
another hand now. He has for long time been
in this gloomy desponding state, persistently
looking at the dark side of things and always
suspecting the worst, so that his family had
been afraid he would commit suicide, and have
closely watched him. On Sunday, he went out
against his wife's will, early in the evening, and
she got Young man named Taylor to accompa-
ny HIM. He went to the wharf, got down on his
knees, and looked at the water asking Taylor
how deep it was. Taylor became alarmed, and
taking him by the arm insisted on his going home.
lie had not been there long before he insisted
On going ont again. His wife strongly dissua-
,le,i hin, bnt lie insisted ON going. saying he
would only stop down to Schofeld's and get
| GLASS of beer. Unable to prevent his leaving,
Ai4 Tadn,an got his son William, young man
! 81 II, To accompany him. He maae his way di-
| rect 8 Il, Market st. bridge, and asked which way
t,9 Ii le fas running and some similar questions
all ,@.4e,l oser beyond the middle of the
| hi i.r lAea he snldenly darted away from
s s.,i.l .Al liirist himself between the bars, but
| his son Immediately caught him by his clothing,
| and held him back. The father struggled and
| the Young man held fast, but part Of the cloth
| ing gave was and the snicide accomplished his
purpose, and fell into the flood below. The
Young man Immediately shouted for help, which
| came az above stated, but too late to render
any service. Tho river is now being dragged
| for the remains.