River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-02-17
SOME PECULIAR SUICIDES.

SOME PECULIAR SUICIDES.
About year ago a double suicide Of
which illustrates the persistency with
which people having the mania sometimes
seeks death. They had been married
about fifteen months, and were happy.
lie had some fortune, which he desired
to increase, and in his effort to do so lost
what he had. This caused n nervous
mslady which kept him in bed for three
months. He recoved, but with saddened
character, which the affection and efforts
of his wife we're unable to change. His
wife gave him an example in courage,
and obtained employment in ono Of the
London shops, which stimulated him TO
an effort, and he found situation in
bank. A child was born to them, which
added to the difficulty of their position.
Then the husband attempted TO commit
suicide alone, for which he was con-
demned TO SIX months of prison. These
six months were n rude trial to both hus-
band and wife, she supporting hcrselfand
child and trying 10 console the prisoner,
Muuul Httt NlSlbCh utills NJ tilt CAHlA
ton Of his Imprisonment he was mere de-
termined than ever to get rid Of his life.
He communicated his determination to
his wife. who resolved to share his fate.
They started for Paris, where they took
poison in a hotel. They were found neat
" dressed, clasped in each others arms.
With an ordinarily cheerful partner. this
woman would have probably lived to an
old age. Her love and the principle OF
imitation, which is natural instinct,
were too strong and, she suceumbed.
Another instance Of initiative suicide
was that Of woman who was attended
by DR.. Falret Of Paris for consumption
In early life she had seen an uncle die by
his own hand, and it made deep impress.
sion OH her mind. II grew deeper on
learning that insanity, the cause of his
death was hereditary. She continued for
two years to be much troubled, when a
report reached her that her father had
also died by his own hand then she con-
cluded that there was no escape for her
self. In this state Of mind she made an
attempt to drown herself, but was res
cued. The rescue was followed by de-
lirium, then melancholy, anda recurrence
Of the suicidal mania. Her dropping spir-
its were revived only when IL was proved
to her that her real father was alive, and
that he who had killed himself was not in
any way related TO her by blood. Falrqt
stated that she was living fourteen years
afterward, and that though she had
passed through much misfortune. the idea
Of self destruction had never REQUIRED TO
her. IL Is an apt illustration Of the
power Of imagination in such cases.
AMBITION
is notable cause of suicide. Some one
has said in the case of Hayden. if he had
only spent the time in painting which he
did in trying to persuade his countrymen
that he could paint, he would have be-
come the painter he wished to be. Not
being a great painter, he shot himself
Trivial causes sometimes lead to il. A
Frcnchman killed himself from the eIthui
Of pulling on his trousers every day I,
another from the monotony Of nature 5
color, saying that the eternal green an.
nOyed him to distraction, and that he de-
sired to sec everything in red for a
charge. man Of seventy.iiye years
hung himself, leaving this apology !:
Jesus Christ has said that when a tree
is old and can no longer bear fruit, IL is
good that II should be destroyed" The
search after notoriety has led men to
self One man jumped into
the crater Of Mount Vesuyius. Abort a
year ago frequenter Of the mhsk.balls
Of Paris, gayly habited Az Picrrot.
Jumped into the Seine, with, Of course
his ''last word pinned TO his garments,
On which he had written that be got his
courage up to the jumping point by means
orabslnthe. lie had already IN magma.
ton seen himself Ia his junkeiing attire
stretched on tho marble slab Of the
MUrguc. This vas the price of.ife.
The best safeguard against sci.dcs.
tructon is naturally amelioraiion. Tho
field OF amusoments and recreatiOns
should be extended and a. the same time
be freed a. much as possible from coars.
ness aud excess. The present area OF
pleasure Is too contracted. There should
be more holidays, more gardens, more
music and social pastimcs Man has al.
ways had, and Away will have, slim
ulbnt of some kind where IL il alchohol,
as in Amer a, an effort should he made
70 induce him 10 change II for wine,
which is the most effective temperance
/ agent yet found. Sanitary and hygienic
measures are necessary, especially in
+ large cities, for dirt has almost as bad
IN influence A. ,dlVness, thus temper