The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
Produce taken In
Suicide OF MIR. James Ash.

IL is our painful duty to chronicle the
the death, by his own hand, of Mr.. J.
Ash. Of this place, which occurred
some time during last night, in an out
house upon the premises of DIR. Fl. c.
Greiner. For some time past, it has
been apparent to those who were upon
terms more or less intimate with him,
that the deceased was very despondent,
but as there was no known cause for it
his domestic relations being unqnestion
ably pleasant, and financial condition
good-it was supposed to have been oc-
casioned by a lack of active employment
the victim being of that organization
which is only content when in the midst
of active business pursuits.
During the early part of last night,
Mr.. Ash left his home, (Which was with
his mothsr-in-law, Mrs. McNutt) as il
merely to walk up street. leaving his
overcoat and overshoes at the house
and not returning as soon as expected.
his wife became alarmed at his absence,
and notified DIR. Greiner of her concern,
The DR.. had retired for the night, but
he at once arose, and started out to look
for him. He made inquiry at many
places in the village, and the railroad
ticket agent was sought out, and inquir-
ed of whether Mr.. Ash had boarded
any of the evening trains, but nothing
concerning his whereabouts could be
ascertained during the night. II would
therefore, appear that his relatives and
friends were not wholly unprepared for
the sad reality which became known to
them early this morning.
A member of DIR. Greiner's family
discovered that the door of the out
house was fastened upon the inside, and
at once notified the DR.. of the fact. The
DIR. it appears instantly anticipated the
truth, and tremblingly forced open the
door, when he was confronted by the
lifeless body of Mr.. Ash, hanging sus-
pended by q couple of white handker-
chiefs-one around his neck, and the 9th
er attached to beam above. From all
appearances, he must have died easily.
There was no discoloration of the face.
or any other indications of a hard strug-
gle. His eyes and mouth were closed.
sides. One foot rested upon an eleva-
tion, and the other partially touched the
floor. The discovery of his body was al
once made known, and jury was en-
paneled by Justice Kagay, acting as
Coroner, who, accompanied by DIR. j
d. Mckinney as examining physician
proceeded to view the remains, and hold
an inquest. The following is the YER
dict of the jury:
After having heard the evidence, and
examined the body, we do find thai
the deceased, James Ash, came to his
death by hanging, by act of his own
hand, on the night of March 16, 1876.
and that he was temporarily insane, from
canses 20 the Jury unknown.
Given under our hands at the time
and place of said inquisition above
mentioned.
GEORGE MATTHEWS,
Foreman,
NOAH KARR,
JOSEPH REAvER,
JOHN GALLIN,
JOSEPH ART,
w. Fl. WALKER.
Mr.. Ash was born in Brownsville, O.,
and conducted business at that place for
a number Of years. He was aged about
AZ years at the time Of his death. Recent
ly, he had completed arrangements with
Mr.. w. FL. Darst to go East to purchase
a stock Of dry goods for this market,
and they were TO have started this morn
ing for that purpose.
The whole community deeply tympa-