The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-08-22
SUICIDE.
An Old Man Found Hung. with his sus
penders.

penoerss
"a man hung near Armorss mill,'' was
the exciting cry when we came over TO
town early last Friday morning. In COM
pany with twenty or thirty citizens we
immediately repaired tosthe scene OF the
tragedy, about two miles northwest OF the
city Going down the bank OF the Neosho
and following up the stream a short dis
tanee, and only few rods below the mill,
there hung the body Of a man stIff and
stark in death Near the top OF the bank
was the protruding roots of n small tree,
the earth having been washed away by
high water. The roots were about eight
feet above the water, and the bank sloped
gradually 70 the watsrss edge. 1t was
not so steep but that man could have
lain there with ease. To the root OF the
tree he had fastened his suspenders, first
wrapping them securely about his neck,
the root being within reach of his hands.
1t was a matter OF surprise that the man
could have hung himself IN this position
The earth was soft and covered with
loose stones. There was not sign Of any
struggle. On his body was a white shirt
nearly new. On his limbs were a pair of
brown denim pants. On one foot was an
old green slipper-the other naked. The
eyes were open and looked natural. He
wore gray whiskers about his throat.
HIS hair and whiskers were iron gray.
His body was first discovered by Mr..
Joseph Walkup, who was coming across
the river from the north side to his broth
er's, Nj. }. r. Walkup's, on this side.
Mr. w. at first thought he was asleep, and
halIowed to wake him. He then came on
and informed his brother. J.R. Walkup
came to the city at once for the coroner,
DIR. Trueworthy. He being absent, C. j.
Bachelor, justice of the peace, acted
in his place. He summoned Nelson
Whittlesey, j. B. Hinkle, Elijah NIcb OILS,
+. L. Bearce. j. +. Ferguson and n. NJ
Blankenship as jury. DR.. r. r. Nc
Candliss examined the body and found
the neck dislocated. After an examine
tion the jury found that the man had come
to his death by hanging, the result of his
own act. The body was afterwards
brought to town and put in charge of Mr..
Stoker, the undertaken, who buried 1T in
Mapiewood Cemetery.
The facts in relation to this man are
briefly these, so far as we can get them:
He came here about six weeks ago from
the vicinity Of Americus, with letter |
from NJ s. Piper, for whom he had work |
ed. He worked a few days for BIr. Bird |
sail, at the Sherman House. He was in
bad health at first, but got better, and |
went to Pollard's brick yard as cool. |
In few days he came back to the Sher- |
man House, stating that he could not stand |
the work at Pollard's. He had the ague. |
Mr.. Birdsall gave him work. On the
night before he put an end to his |
life he went to bed at ten O'Clock. /
He was gloomy and reticent. Since mis- |
death MIR. r. r. Denny, living Il few miles /
north Of town, brought in some articles
which the old man left there about two
weeks ago. In pocket Of a coat was
found discharge from the u. S. army.
From this we learn that his name was
Lewis L. Smith, and that he was corporal
Of company d, 31st regiment of WIscon-
sin infantry. He was mustered in Aug.
1862, and was then aged 40, thus making
him about 60 years Of age when he died.
He was feet 81 inches in height; was a
saloon keeper; was mustered out in '65,
near Louisville; two small books and n
pocket wallet were found. On the fly
leaf of one Of the books, entitled, ''Friend-
ships Token" were these words: "Pre-
sented to Mr.. L. B. Smith by his wife,"
In the wallet was found package label
ed "Arsenic-poison." At BirdsalPs he
had given his name as Blodgett.
Thus one more unfortunate has gone to
the grave. What stories of sorrows and
hardships could he have told