Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-25

Some facts in relation to recent events seem to
throw ray Of light upon the cause Of the suicide
OF the late Danforth Foster Of this city He was ~
years Of age and had been married IA years, ana
during all that time not unkind word or look had
passed between him and his companion. They
had two bright little chdren-a girl eight years Of
age and boy three years Of age The wife has
been professor of religion FROM youth, while the
husbands attention had been called to the subject
only recently and he established family worship in
his home. He seemed to hold the idea that he had
been very wicked man, and he had made up his
\ mind to lead christian life. For week before
iperpetrating the dreadful deed he had been quite
'unwel. Subsequently he had been clearing up
swampy land standing in the water and exposing
himself He came into the house enc day quite ex.
sxusted, saying that he felt very strangely dizzy
seAsation in his head, and seemed to manifest an
unusual degree of affection for his wife. For four
days previous to the suicide he was unable TO la
Dor out Of doors, and remained about the house.
One day he remarked that he didn't know but he
had committed great sin by loving his wife better
than he did his God. He said I'VE have every.
thing about us to make us happy, and there's but
one thing that troubles me / have strange feel
ing In my head, and do not know but that shall
be tempted to commit some dreadful act" His
wife was alarmed at this, as he had hitherto been
cheerful, and tt ed to encourage him, telling HIM
that he would be well in few days and must not
cherish gloomy thoughts. The day before the sui
eide he came along to his wife several times, re
peating his acknowledgment of the kindnes-es
which she had always shown him, ami took his lit
tie children upon his knee, telling them to be good
and always love God and their mother His health
seemed to be little improved. On this morning to
which we have alluded while he was sitting alone
IN the room, he fell from the chair upon the floor
and his wife entering found him upon bis face.
She assisted him to rise, when he opened his eyes
and said that he had return of the strange feeling
in his head and that he must have fallen in lit
He continued responding all day. his wife trying
to cheer him up, show ng him every attention. In
the afternoon he asked his wife, What could you
do if should die?" On the fatal morning before
going to the barn. he talked about mis- property OF
which he had accumulated sufficient to make his
family comfortable, and again au led to the strange
feeling in his head and the temptation he had to
commit some dreadful act The other facts that
resulted in his death are already known to our
readers. The wife of the deceased has an only
brother living in Haliowelt, Mr. o. w. Sims, and it
had been arranged 20 have a Christmas tree and a
grand reunion at Mr.. Fosters house; instead of
which will occur the funeral of the kind husband
and father. We informed that insanity is
hereditary in Mr.. Fosters family, and it is more
than probable that while laboring under partial in
sanity supernduced by exposure, he had planned
and executed his seli.destructon.