The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-12
A SCHOLARS SUICIDE.
THE SAD ENDING OF GOOD LIrE-pEATH OF
1N PROFESSOR BARTON. -lf

THE SAD ENDING OF GOOD LIrE-DEATH OF
oN PROFESSOR BARTON.
Tho students OF the College Of tho City of New York
told yesterday morning that, in consequence of
the death OF John Grac Bartou Professor OF English
Language and Literature since 1S4s, tho duties for the
day would postponed out respect for tho dcooascd
IL soon transpircd that Professor Barton had com
mittcd suicide. For a long time he had been suffer-
ing IRON nervous prostitution, when TO use his own
words the knew not II his own head on his
shoulders" Two yenrs ago he attempted TO
take his life by jumping or a Brooklyn ferry
boat, but was rescued. Upon his reappearanco
professor at tho college. highly was
he esteemed, that mention mado Of bis at
tempted suicide Last spring he purchased some
properly Hamburg Sussex county, N. j., and built
pretty cottage on tho grounds. few weeks ago,
mis- return to Hamburg, his family noticed signs OF
returning unsteadincss OF conduct On Wednesday
morning no purchased two ounces Of sulpburic acid
from drug store In Hamburg ana he received It
without questioning, as he was known TO be fond of
experimenting. He was not seen again till noon. when
search for him Instituted He was found seated
on the porch OF vncant house near by his house,
and by his side lay cup, which no pointed to, and
SAID he had swallowed the acid II had contained
lie was taken to his home, and suffered intensely in
spite OF the presence OF ply sclan At tour O'Clock
he diod. His sent word to the professors
OF tho college, aud thus the commune atcd
the students. There was, however, Tor some tlino
suspicion that suicide had ended his lie, as tho
noto SIMPLY stated that Mr. Barton died about Jour
o'clock
Professor Barton had been absent from the college
about Tour weeks. Hc at the tmo suffering from
mental depression, which was caused by the sus-
picion that he To be removed aud tho
lear that political management would deprive
him OF his established position. Lately n
mitteo Of tho Board OF Trustees has been
holding examinations, md he was summoned TO APP
pear before the committee, but III health interfcrcd
with his so doing Nfa-
During the spring vacation he wrote that he
would DO buck college, and that he would then
leave his home only he forbidden to do so by his
physician. The very day he committed suicide he
wrote again, telling how much his enforced idencss
troubled hun aud how his mind was upset in
quenca Ho would, however, he added, soon be at
work again when he hoped IT would never be his task
10 ask indugences again OF the Board OF Education.
Professor Barton 10 TO DO buried to-day In his old
home Lancaster, Pa. Tho funeral services took place
yesterday Mt Hamburg Deceased was, at the time Of
his DEATH sixtyiour years Of In 1869 lie received
the degree Of LII. u. from Columbia College. III had
CoIieg. oil tho City OF New York. lie was man who
was both universally respected and liked. He
tall stately and OF commanding appearance. Among
the students he was great avoritc. Had
the notice OF tho funeral arrived In time or par
ticulars been given there would have been
large attendance OF professors and students at the SER
vices He was native OF Lancaster Pa. He was
clergy oil the Protestant Episcopal Church, and
time taught school in brooklyn. He leaves n
DEATH and IN addition, tho heartfelt OF all the
students win BIO experienced Tor the kindy.heartcd,
upright and good ola man who suddenly lett vacant
his post.