, 1873-02-09
A DEPL0RABLE AFFAIR,
Suicide of q Once Prominent Dry
Goods 11e..chant.
Henry II. Bisclow Ellis Himself While
Temporarily Insane:

Henry ". Bigelov, Esq, m old and much re-
epccted citizen of this city, committed suicide
yesterday afternoon, at lis residence No. Ss1
West Madison street, by EhooslnG himself
through the head with q revolver.
Mr. Bjgslow hnd been suffering with the liver
complaint for gone weeks but, until yesterday
morning, had not taken to his bed, and during
Ill the time had been able to attend to his
business with his usual regularity,
Being strong end hearty, his friends felt no ap-
prehension regarding him, md, in common with
himself, believed the slight indisposition would
soon wear of. On Friday afternoon, however,
he began to suffer severely from pain in his
eide, and at his request, DR.. Skeor, his physl-
clan, was sent for. No alarm was felt at tho
time, and the physician was only called in to
prevent the further progress OF the diaease.
Mr.. Bigelow slept restlessly Friday night, and
yesterday morning wls little better. It was
during DR.. Skeers visit, yesterday morning.
that Mr. Bgelow showed the first signs Of in
sanity. He said to the Doctor that he was not
suffering from sickness, but from Fe1atoa OF
mind; that some ono was endeaToring to swim
die him out Of large amount Of money, and he
feared they would succeed in doing it. Or.
6keer told him to be qniet and not worry hin1
self, aud all would come right This seemed to
racfy M1. BigeIow, and he went off into sound
Eleep.
When his eop-io-law, 3lr. William Lock, Jr,
came home at noon, Mr. Bigelow informed him
tha: he WAS better, nnd he talked quite cheer
fully.
The family sat down to dinner happy in tho
prospect Of the speedy recovery Of their head,
little suspecting how ebort . time would elapee
before their happiness would end and their sor-
1ow commence.
Dinner had been eaten, and the family wero
pleasantly chatting, when the report Of pistol
wss heard in Mr. Bigelow's room, which adjoins
the dining-room. Terror stricken, the family
rushed into the room, whero they found
Atr. Bglow lying in his bed, insensi-
hle, his revolver in his left hand.
and blood issuing from q bu1le:-hole in the right
side Of his head near the temple.
DR.. 6keer was at once sent for, but upon ar
irving said that nothing conld be done. Mr. Bige-
Low lived sn hour or more after the bullet pene-
t1ated his brain, but during all the time was per-
fectly insens:ble He passed away peacefully at
precisely 8 o'clock.
Last evening when the reporter visited the
house, the family were so stricken that
b nut little - could on l. bo Learned regarding
and his most intimate friends are utterly at
loss to understand what prompted him to do the
deed. 80 far Us can be ascertained, his affaira
are in an excellent condition. He is known to
be worth at least $4,000 in property, perfectly
unencumbered, all OF which could be readily
converted into money The only reasonable
cause seems to be TINT he was temporarily in-
sane, and this was the verdict rendered by the ]
Coroner's jury, yesterday evening. What pro-
dnced the supposed insanity is not known. Il |
could not have been the result OF excitement,
as Mr. Bigelow Was remarkable for his coolness !
under all circumstances. The cause Of his in !
sanity remains, therefore, to be developed.
hr. Blgelow Was 64 years old, and had been q |
resident OF Chicago since 1870, end has been |
actively identified with the business interests OF |
the city during all that time. During the first |
few years Of his residence in this city he was in
the retail hardware business with hr. S. ". Sur
dam, under the firm name Of Surdam d Bigelow. |
In 1853 he opened d retail dry goods store on |
Lake street, between Clark and Dearborn, and |
merchant Of Chicago. His store will be weh re-
rnembered by our older citizens. Since no sold !
out hia store he has not engaged very actively in
tuainees.
Mr. Bige1ow was very prominent in the Mason |
ic f5aternity Of the city, the Henry ". Bigelow
At his death he was Treasurer OF |
Lafayette Chapter, and one Of the leading spirits
in the Appollo Lodge. He WAS much respected !
for his sound business judgment and solidity Of |
character. Some Of the old residents Of the |
city have acquired greater fortunes, but none
can show cleaner business record. His loss
will be felt throughout the entire city, aad the
manner Of his death, at ripe old age. will be
regretted
He leagesa wife, three SONS, and one daughter.
md tragic death Of the husband and father, !
His family relations were Of the most pleasing |
;haracter Wr. Bigelow being loved and respected. |
will be made for the burial to- day.