Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-24
SUICIDE.
John Reynolds, an Old Citizen, Marches
into Eternity--I,asanity the Supposed
Co,.ee.A Rna,e,e End fho EtF..f

John Reynolds, a,. Old Citizen, Marches
Cause--A Ropes End the Effect.
The city was shocked yesterday morning to
learn that Mr.. John Reynolds, an old and high
ly esteemed citizen of Minneapolis, had taken
his own life. For several weeks he has COM
planned of ill-health. and has
seemed to be suffering from intense
nervous excitement, and his friends have
been alarmed at his state of mind.
Mr.. Reynolds was a painter by trade, and
has been known as a competent and reliable
workman in that business for years. Some
months ago, however, he commenced expert
menting On mechanical Inventions, and finally
struck something of undoupted and perma-
nent value, being an improvement on the
Sprague washing machine. For several weeks
he has been engaged IN the manufacture of these
valuable domestic utensils, and, acting as his
own canvasser, had been remarkably successful
in their sale. Through his attorneys, Messrs.
Filter & Co., of st. Paul. he had applied for
patent on his invention, but last week Mr.. j.
s. Sprague, the patentee of the machine upon
which Reynolds had made his improvement,
notified him that unless he (Reynolds) came to
terms and made settlement suit would at
once be commenced for infringement of his
upon his mind. 70 several friends
he said that it was the intention to ruin him
financially and leave him IN the world a beggar.
His friends tried to encourage him, and make
ing in the life of every man. But it was no
use. The idea took full possession of him, I'M
til it amounted to a mania
On Monday he visited all the parties with
whom he had business connections and settled
his accounts in full, taking receipts.
remarking to two or three of
them that this would be the final settlement
the undertaken would finish the rest to-mor-
row. In the evening he went to his shop on
Second avenue south, carefully packed few
personal effects, addressed them to his nephew,
and then retired to his room in Bayton's block.
He was never afterward seen alive.
Fastening a rope to a gas-pipe overhead he
dressed himself with scrupulous care, pre-
pared the moose and swung off. His re-
mains were discovered at an early hour and
taken to the undertakers. The following
note carefully written and addressed to the
judge of probate was discovered ON table in
his room:
M1NNEApoL1s, July %, 1851 hope the
public and my friends will pardon my rash
act. Bury me by the side of my dear wife,
and forget me possible. Life is
burden and m, troubles are more than can
bear. 1 desire that my clothing and painting
tools be given to Frank A. Reynolds, my prop
erty to be properly administered upon and the
proceeds remaining to be given to my sister,
Adeline Sanders and children, who live in
Pittsfeld N. Fl. An accepted order on Mr..
Chase, who lives in my house on Fourth street,
for $20.54, and he will owe me 1875 rent August
1st, 1878. JOHN REYNOLDS.
Born IN Strafford Co.. N. H., July 18th, 1926.
The coroner summoned, but did not
consider it necessary to hold an inquest. He
at once telegraphed the sister named in the
above note, and awaits an answer, before
making final disposition of the remains.
No doubt remains that the deceased was in
sane. He leaves a considerable property. and
was in no possible danger of coming to want.
Four years ago his wife Ito whom he much
attached) died, and he has never seemed to be
himself since. Probably grief preying upon
naturally nervous disposition produced in
sanity. He was ffty-one years of age, and an
honest, upright good man.