Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-11-25
SUICIDE OF A BRIDE.

A Young Married Woman Blows Her Brains
Out While Iaboring Under an Attack of
the Rines.
From The Auglaize County (O9 Democrat, Novem-
Der -.
Our community was thrown into fe-
verish state OF excitement, Friday last,
on learning that the wife of James
Butcher, the night before, committed
suicide by blowing out her brains with
a rifle. Knowing that the deceased had
only been married five days, and that
both herself and husband were connect
ed with the most respectable families in
the county, only heightened the excite
ment. From the verdict of the jury, it
will be seen that the deceased did the
act, and ushered her spirit into eterni-
ty, while laboring under temporary fit
of insanity. Indeed, the statements of
her husband and her fathers family
confirm us in the belief that the conclu
slOns OF the jury we're correct.
1t seems that Mr.. Butcher and Miss
Harriet Taylor (for such was her name
before the marriage) had been engaged
for some time. The day for the nupitfl
ceremonies had been determined upon
and postponed one, two and three times
by Miss Taylor, alleging as reason
therefor, that further time was required
to complete the arrangements. And it
was not until the morning of the Sun
day previous to her death, while being
enrolled for the marriage feast, that the
first symptoms appeared of despond
ent and gloomy disposition. She then
hesitated as to the propriety of proceed
ing further with the ceremony; but her
friends, feeling that it was only girlish
timidity incident upon such occasions,
kindly chided her as to her doubts and
and fears, and the ceremony was pro-
ceeded with. The happy husband and
apparently contented wife, commenced
housekeeping on his farm Everything
seemed to be all right. The husband,
Mr.. Butcher, did all in his power to
make his wife's home pleasant for her.
remark from his wife: CT am not good
enough for you" but as often a4t as S she e
was left for him on last Thursday to re-
alize an overfowing cup of bitterness
full of grief and anguish. At noon
Mr.. Butcher started to the field to husk
domestic duties about the house. After
finishing her work, and becoming lone
some, she went to the field where her
husband was at work. While there
with him in the field, another melan-
cholly mood came over her, and she
gave utterance to the same expression
as before She started to go to the
house, but her husband prevailed on
her to sit down. and talk with him while
he worked, the day being very pleasant.
After talking awhile, Mr.. Butcher pro-
posed to his wife that she should go to
the house, get an ear y supper, when
they would go to neighbours and
spend the evening. In a short time smoke
from the chimney convinced him that
she was at work. At the designated
hour he retired from the field to the
barn to do his chores, and after com
the purpose of getting bucket to milk
the COWS. But what a sight met bis
gaze when nearing the door of the
housed She, who had left him short
time before in the field full of life, lay
PROSTATE upon the ground, a gun by
her side; her skull and brains lay scat
tered against the walls of the house and
upon the ground, It was a terrible
sickening sight. A gun-a smooth
bore rife-which Mr.. Butcher had
loaded with two balls the night before,
for the purpose of killing an owl, had
done it's work. Little did he think
when ramming that ponderous charge
into the gun it would emerge into the
light of day crashing through the brains
of his beloved wife. An alarm was
given; the neighbors were quickly sum-
moned to the relief of the distracted
husband, while messengers were dis
patched with the sad news to the pa
rents OF the deceased, and for the proper
officer to inspect and report upon the
sad drama.