The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-23
STRANGE SUICrDF


YOUNG NAN IN EVANSVILLE, WIS.,. COMMITS
SUICIDE TO ESCAPE ARREsT-A PFcur.IAR
TEMPERAMENT.
A special to the Chicago Tribune from
GAINESVILLE, Wis, the 18th inst. gives the
facts connected with very strange act of
self-destruction: One of the most shocking
suicides occurred here on Saturday night
last. The victim Of the bloody deed was
John Mcdonnell, young man about % wears
oIu. ne seemed TO have lost all resi- ect for his
parents, sister and two brothers. His father
Is blind and helpless, but that did not appear
70 prlh8 out any tender sympathy from
John, and as for his mother and sister and
Two brothers, he treated them in the most
brutal manner, driving his sister from the
house, and putting his mother in fear of her
life. This abuse continued several months.
Till 1t became necessary for the family 10 re-
sort 10 the law for protection Last Noveul-
Der Ofncer Case had a warrant Tor his
arrest, when he beat bis father and mother
IN most outrageous manner, covering their
faces with the blood which came from their
wounds. AZ this time, however, he pro-
posed togo away from home if they would
not arrest him, and his parents thought il
would be best. He stayed but few DAYS,
when he returned, and for short time his
r n,ora Mt toward the family was
abuse, which continued with a varied
degree of brutality till Saturday after
noon between and O'Clock when his
younger brother went for Officer Case,
stating that John had pounded him badly,
ana the family were in fear of their lives.
case went to the house and had talk with
the young man, who seemed to be rational,
and claimed that he was not well treated at
nome; tnat the family were all against him;
that ne could not get any work to do, and
ne seemed TO be respondent. When Mr..
case spoke OF his arrest John drew what
was supposed to be pistol, and said
HE WOULD SHOOT HIM
before he would be arrested. Seeing that
he could not arrest him without additional
force, Mr.. Case went for Marshal Heating,
leaving William knott in the house to pro-
tect the family. The marshal went there
with Case about half-past Z O'Clock, and
when he entered the house John Mcdonnell
jumped for the pantry. and, partially closing
the door after him, held the door in one
mana and a razor in tbs other, aud said that
If they attempted gsto arrest him he
would not. go out of the closet alive.
Marshal Heating tried to reason with him,
and told him to come out, and they would
TALK the matter over, and probably thew
could settle the difficulty without any
trouble, but John was determined not TO
compromise; he would not listen to reason.
and again declared that if they took him out
of the pantry they would take him out dead.
The marshal then spoke to his mother, ask
ing her II she afraid of him and
wanted him arrested. She said she was
afraid of her life, and wanted something
done with him. Mr.. Heating then made an
advance toward the pantry door, when John
attempted to close it, but the marshal
quickly put his cane between the door and
casing, which prevented it from being shut
closely. he then pried the door open, but
by the time he got it fully open, which re-
quired only few seconds, John had drawn
the razor across his throat and was dying
on the floor, bleeding most profusely. He
was picked up by Marshal Heating and put
on chair, but did not speak a word, and
died in five minutes. A coroner's Jury was
summoned as early as possible after the
suicide, and a verdict rendered in accord
ance with the facts.