Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-17

From the Louisville Courier-Journal, loth.l
A most melancholy affair occurred il
the lower part Of the city last night
Mrs. Clara A. Wicks, wife Of William
Wicks, deceased, formerly a well known
citizen Of this city, committed suicide
by taking strychnine.
i The story is long and sad one
The motives that led to the terrible deed
were grief at the death Of her husband
and as alleged by the lady herself, her
desertion by her friends. The story is
as follows: HW tW
Some FIVE or six weeks ago the hus-
band of the lady died suddenly while on
his way to distant city. This sad news
of his death, far away from home and
friends, fell with terrible force upon the
fond heart Of the loving wife, for he was
the ocean to the river Of her thoughts
which terminated ALL Frenzied with
grief at her terrible bereavement, and
feeling that life had no further charms
for her, and that death alone could heal
her woe, the griefstricken widow pro-
cured a quantity of opium, retired to her
room and swallowed the deadly potion.
Fortunately, her condition was discov-
cred ere the poisonous drug had done its
fatal work, and by the timely arrival of
medical aid her life was saved. She ex-
4 PRESSED regret for the rash act, and prom
ised to make mo- further attempts upon
her life. She was closely watched for
several days, bit as She evinced no dis
position to repeat the attempt the sur
veillance ceased But she had not
abandoned her purpose, and about three
weeks since a relative, upon entering her
room, found her lying upon the bed in a
deep stupor. A vial, labeled opium,
showed plainly that she had again at
tempted to gain surcease of sorrow in
death. As before, she was foiled in her
rash purpose through the Intervention Of
medical aid Again she expressed con-
triton for attempting to seek the sad fate
of suicide. ft WHriJ s /.
A stricter watch than before was kept
upon her actions, and, though bowed
down with grief, she seemed resigned to
her affliction, and her friends hoped that
the healing arts Of the great physician,
time, would soon restore her to her
wonted health and cheerfulness of spirit.
But il seems that she was determined to
die by her own hand. Her apparent
resignation was but a ruse to lull to
sleep the vigilance of her friends. AT
an early hour on Wednesday of last
week, female relative was awakened by
the stentorous breathing Of the lady.
Alarmed at her unusual and labored res
piration. the relative procured a light
and TO her horror discovered that the
eriefstricken woman. intent upon self
| destruction. had inhaled large quantity
of chloroform. and was rapidly sinking.
Physicians were Immediately summoned
and only Inv the most strenuous efforts
known TO medical skill was she restored
TO consciousness. ", b a.at8alf
| All account of the affair supnressipr
Of course. the names was given at the
time and il was stated that 4 was feared
that the lady would embrace the first on.
portunity TO take her own life. The fear
was TO be realized but too soon.
Last nicht she retired as usuaI but
about n quarter TO one this morning the
lady of tbe bouse heard her call out for
a glass Of mill, She went in IN see what
might be the matter and fonnd Mrs,
Wieks in n strong conyulsiou an the he'd:
and with an emntv naner marked strycb.
nine living beside her She died within n
few minutes despite the efforts made to
save ber Near her were found five LET
rers tbree of which We nuhlish below
and tba otber two he;ng of a nr;vate
] natnre and containing directions. that
she should be hurled nv the side of her
husband and tbat bnt one carriage
sbould follow her remains TO the grave,
Tbese two last letters had October the
2gth as date bnt annarently afterward
Scratched ont and November the 5th
substituted in their nlace
These were probably written before
one of her previous attempts upon her
own life and bore the mark of some pre-
naration. being written carefully in ink
while the last two were evidently written
nnder the influence of strong agitation.
and in nencil but hearing no date. She
had some difienltv with her relatives II
seams and for some reason had de-
stroyed her maafiace certificate She
left an order for the Sale of her goods as
mart payment of her hoard. DR.. Thos
j. Grihiths, the surgeon in charge Of the
United States Marine Hospital, had
been called on before to attend upon the
unfortunate lady, and had endeavored to
bf her intention. He was summoned last
night only 20 find her dead. Below are
the notes of Mrs Wicks found in her
room
DEAR FRIEXDs-I will try once more
to leave this miserable world am afraid
to give any one trouble. 1t may be that
you had better send for John Wicks, and
see if they won't take the trouble off
your hands. II they don't, then please
do as ] said. wish to be buried by my
dear William. Surely that old man can
not refuse my last request. Forgive me,
nv William. / have taken strychnine,
and don't think you will need Coro-
ner, Maybe YOU will though. 30
over to New Albany 70 see John, please,
and then you can find out all their inten-
tions at once. Forgive me. nv dear
friends, and with my best love / remain
yours. fsf CLARA.
p : Dont g;ve the Wicks any .otis-
faction about ne Won tnow ~ fora;ya
iSN''O" "s~I,s IT. SN'