The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-05-16
Prof. Co,ahIin0's Suicide.
THE CHASTITY CORPSE THAT WAS FOUND IN
A CANOE.


THE CHASTITY CORPSE THAT WAS FOUND IN
CANOE.
A correspondent writing from Milford,
Pike county. Pa. to The New \ ork sun,
furnishes the following particulars relative
to the suicide and previous movements OF
the man recently found floating down the
Delaware river, near that place, with his
throat fearfully manglcd and life almost
extinct: The corpse, after being laId out
in the Court Horisc in this village, was
identified by Il lady resident rs that of Eli
Roberts Conklng, formerly professor OF
music in the Milford Academy, and a man
of the highest intellectual attainmcnts.
The causes leading to his suicide-for it
was plain that ne had himself inflicted the
injuries which proved fatal-wcre then I'M
known, but have since been revealed.
Z In 1861 Prof Conkiing was a resident Of
this village, having charge Of the musical
department of the academy. lie was ulil-
vcrsally liked for his many excellent quail
/ tiles and respected for his culture and abll-
ity. He left here in 1862. and up to the
time of his tragic re-appearance had not
been heard of. 1t seems that he had been
for some time previous to his death assist
ant editor of the Tyrone (Pa.) Herald.
. While in that village lie formed the ac-
quaintanco of an cstimable young lady, the
daughter of wealthy parents IN Tyrone.
} Acquaintance ripeucd into an ardent at
tachment, which was rcciprCcated. The
parents of the young lady opposed the at
tentions of Mr.. Conklng, but the pair
clandestinely enjoyed each others society.
Last month, the two having been some
time separated by the friends OF the girl,
she was taken seriously i'll. CorGling at
tempted several times 10 see her, bat was
prevented The giIl grew worse daily, and
finally died.
F,ci int ~t
it became evident that it was affecting his
mind. He rTlvcd about the cruelty of her
parents, and declared that they had killed
her in order that he might not eventually
become her husband. lie became untitled
for the duties of his position, and was final
/ ly obliged to resign.
The next seen OF him was in Jersey City
He was met a day or two before his deatl
, near Pavonia Ferry by his nephew, VIII,
- works in New York. COnkl!ug was wan
deriug about abstractedly. and lis ueyhc :
said that he was not in his right mind. E!t
= placed him Oh al Erie Railway train 70
, Middletown. The conductor OF the train
was requested to look after him and set
= that he got Of at NiddietOwu. The TRAIN
official having forgotten to let hia off 4
that station, when few miles west Of i
the conductor aSiscd Conkling if he want
, ed to get off. lie replied that lac wantc,
f to 90 to Port JcrviG. About = mile cast O
l that place he desired the conductor to stoI
the train and let him off. lie looked wild
, " around, and exclaimed They are 90
s ing to kill nc , Let me get off - The con
f ductor passed on. When the train arrived
, at the depot Conkliug was nowhere to bt
. seen. He had jumped from the train.
0 A party went back to Neversinl bridge
. expecting to find his manglcd remains, bu
- lie could not lie found.
Early the next morning a stranger ap
=, Il
= | Delaware river for the loan Of \ boat TO ta!,t
; Il row in the stream. The boat was giyeI
y Linn. lie rowed - the middle Of the river
e swollen with recent rains, and then point
t ! ed the boat down the stream, and Wa,
soon carried ont of sight by the rapid cur
t [ rent. About the middle Of the day MAJ
t was seen by raftHmen passing down til,
a river n.nnirg wildly about on an isiane
a two miles above the place. lie acted rs j
he was being pursued by some unseen enc
my. A few hours afterward a boat wa
1 seen floating down the river 10y ma:
. named Roger Quick, who lives OH tie jcT
e scy side. Seeing something lying in tn
:, boat, Quick rowed ont to it, and discoveTe,
: 4 man in the agonies of death. Blood Wa
=, flowing freely from an ugly wound il til
y side of his neck. a pocket knife lay nea
I his outstrrtchcd haud. Quick towcd tn
Il boat to the village as quickly as possible
and medical aid was called, but the MAJ
died soon after the boat touckcd shore
= No one could identify the body, although
5 the features were familiar t. all. 1t Wa
G finally recognized, As stated. by 4 lady VIII
had formerly been pupil of the deceased
His friends were st once summoned, and
& coroner's investigation held. The bod
/ was removed to MiIdlctown for burial.
: Eli Roberts Conkiiug was well-kuowu i
3 musical circles. He was author of man
i popular instrumental and vocal pieces.