Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-06-25
Shocking Suicide of Young Man.

from the Washington Star of Monday
| This morning at No 235 I'd street north
west young man, named Jos. l.. Adanson,
jr., committed suicide by cutting his throat
with razor, nearly severing his head from
his body. The family consisted of the de-
ceased, his father, (ahout 60 years old and in
poor health, his mother, about sc or 55 years
old, and some other relatives. The deceased
had been employed in the Patent Office, and
has lately been the sole support of the family.
They resided in a small brick house contain
ing four rooms and a summer kitchen, and
the appearance of the house and furniture is
indicative of lhepinchmgs of poverty.
Up to last week there was another member
of the family circle, Frank Adamsou, who
was an apprentice TO the plastering business.
Three years ago he was so badly injured by a
fall from a seatfold that he never recovered
and died from the effects of the fall on We'd
nesday aud was buried on Friday Joseph
has been for several weeks in bad health, but
remained at his business at the Patent Office
up to Saturday last. 1t was, however, APP
parent to the neighbors, that he was much de-
pressed in spirits since his brothers. DEATH On
Saturday morning while in the store of Mr.
VIM. H. kilmon, he remarked, ~ don't know
what ! will do; am discouraged
This morning, about OF clock, his father
went into his room and found him dressing,
and the deceased said, al believe ! will get
up and see if cannot walk around a little
| may feel better The father then advised
him 10 take some citrate of magnesia, and
said that he would mix some for him. The
afflicted father then left the room, but in
few minutes returned, only TO find his son in
the agonies of death.
He Immediately gave an alarm, and some of
the neighbors FASTENED in Sergeant Clements
was passing at the time, and going into the
house ascertained the facts and sen. for the
Coroner. The appearance of the body on the
floor would indicate that the deceased had
struggled desperately. 1t appeared that he
had got the razor out of a closet and had in
fiicted the wound while he was in bed, as it
was saturated with blood. He had thrown
himself out of the bed, where the blood con-
tinued to flow until the entire floor was COW
cred. The razor was found near the body
The wound is a terrible one, and must have
required degree of strength 10 inflict it,
which indicates desperation and fierce de-
termination almost ncomprehensible cousid-
ering the general weakness of the victim.
The coroner, DR.. Patterson, about noon
held an inquest, at which the father, ]. l..
Adamson, ST., testified that the deceased had
been sick about two weeks, and that he wor-
ried about the bills incurred on account Of the
illness and death of his brother, expressing
the fear that they would be presented az the
office where he was employed and cause his
discharge. Some of the relatives of the de-
ceased testified that be has been mentally af-
fected for year or more.
The jury returned verdict that he came to
his death by reason of an incised wound in
ficted by his own hand while laboring under
an alteration of mind.
The deceased was about twenty-five years
of age, and had been connected with the Pat
ent Office for ten years past, most of the time
as messenger. About two years ago he was
trade marks, and had the reputation of being
a very faithful and exemplary employee.