The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-03-30
SELF.DESTRUCTION.
Col. II. A. McCaleb Becomes Demented and
Commits Suicide.

Col. II, A. McCaleb Becomes Demented and
Commits Suicide.
Never in the history of Ottawa were our people
more astounded and shocked than they were last
Sunday on the receipt, by c. d. Trimble, Esq,
from Kansas, Of dispatch that Col. II. A. Me
Caleb had committed suicide. The Colonel had
been a resident of Ottawa tor about ten years
had been sheriff, county clerk, and in the ice
business here, and was known 10y every resident
He was a man that stood over six feet in his
stockings, of stawart frame and splendid phys
ique-always the picture of health and manly
vlgor, and of an exceptionally joyous and happy
disposition. Temperate in his habits, yet big
hearted and generous to a degree, in comfortable
circumstances, surrounded by pleasant family
whom he idolsed-he seemed the last man in the
world whom one would imagine capable of self
destruction. Yet those most intimate with him
know that for the past six months his mind had
shown unhealthy symptoms-its of gloom and
dependency would strangely seize him with ina
bility to think connectedly or concentrate his
thoughts. year ago he became dissatisfied with
the office of county clerk which he then held.
saying the salary was too small to yield him a
comfortable support, and he declined to be a can
didatc for reelection, expressing purpose to go
to Kansas and engage in farming and stock rails
ing He visited the country and came home de-
lighted with it, and all winter was mainly occu-
pied in getting ready for the proposed change Of
abode. Out Of settled occupation in the mean
time, and brooding over the proposed change, he
became at times so narrowed by doubts and
gloomy forebodings, that he confessed to init
mate friends that he was really fearful his reason
was giving way.
OF all men in Ottawa his next door neighbor
c. ID. Trimble, Esq, shared his closest friendship
and most intimate confidence, and he hardly took
step of any kind in which Mr.. T. was not con-
suited and made his confidential adviser Mr.. T.
was also acquainted with his peculiar state Of
mind before he left Ottawa, and largely on that
account took occasion to 90 to Kansas himself at
this particular time to attend to some business he
had there so as to be there when Col. McCaeb
arrived, that he might note his condition there
and relieve his own anxiety in reference to his
friend in seeing him settled and the cloud lifted
his brain. Nothing, therefore, can more
truthfully exhibit Col. McCalebs exact condition
than the following narrative of the week Mr..
Trimble spent with him in Kansas, and which he
has most kindly prepared for our use:
state of mind about the 18th of February last,
from having previously submitted to him bust
ness proposition, which found him incapable Of
considering in detail.
About the first of March learned that he was
suffering from mental depression and was great
~ troubled about his business affairs and his fu-
ture prospects, though | did not think him in
failing circumstances, or that he had serious oc-
casion to fear the future. | learned that he had
sold his residence here and knew that he propos-
cd to remove his family TO Humboldt, Kansas,
about the 18th inst Having business west, ]
left Ottawa for Kansas City March 5th, and hay
Ing visited Lawrence, Topeka and Emporia,
went from the last named place on the 18th to
Humboldt, where the Colonel was expected to
arrive on the 18th. Having driven into the coun-
try that day, and being carried some miles out Of
my way, did not meet him at the railroad depot
on his arrival, but shortly afterwards found him
and his family at the principal hotel Of the place.
conversed with them half an hour and retired
to another hotel to make room for them, the
house being very full that night. Saw him Il
few moments next morning with his friend, John
Gallagher, formerly of La Sale, who had brought
men and teams from his farm near by to remove
their household goods from their car on the track
of the l.. l.. IL g. railroad to house which had
been secured for the family by Mr.. Gallagher
some time before. | drove into the country that
day also and did not return until late in the eve
ming. Saw the Colonel Thursday morning as he
and Mr.. Gallagher were starting into the country
west of the Ncosho river. They were gone all
h. |
house about O'Clock and found the Colonel at
home. He told me a room had been furnished
for me and that was to make my home at his
house while | remained in the place accepted
the invitation, and very soon he began TO disclose
his true condition. telling me at the same time
that he had successfully, as he thought, conceal
ed it from his friends in Ottawa. He bemoaned
his many mistakes in business and confessed that
he had lost his Judgment and was utterly incapa-
bic of coming to a business conclusion.
| VT advice assistance |
could render him and offered to remain with him
as long as necessary to establish him in business
He very gratefully accepted the offer, and 1t was
arranged that we should Immediately go into the
country to look for farm to rent or buy. We
accordingly started at about . O'Clock Friday
morning O5th nst.) to go into Woodson county.
We arrived at Yates Center, the county seat, at
| o'clock, and there called on Carpenter, the
county clerk, whom the Colonel had known in
La Sale county and with him took dinner at the
hotel. After dinner We called on other county
officers, and having made the acquaintance OF q
land agent Of the place, reputable gentleman,
we learned of several farms for sale or to rent in
the direction of Humboldt. We started on our
return at half past o'clock, and soon found
the Colonel anxious to get back to his family,
saving he could not leave them alone after dark.
We succeeded in looking AT one farm only and
that Law directly on our road home. Twice
turned aside to 20 a distance Of say mile and
half to cvamine other farms which had been rec
to us, but each time he called halt
and caused me to turn back into the main road.
| made point To return To Humboldt by way Of
Mr.. GJlla ghcr'S farm and saw Mr.. e.. about, sun
down. Talked with him few minutes, recey-
ing some words of encouragement, and drove in
to town about dark. now learned for the frs:
time that the Colonel did not rest well of nights;
and had u great deal Of talk with him, this eve
ming, but 10 little purpose. Retired at Il late
hour, with the understanding that we were To
drive through Allen county, east of the NcoshO,
next day.
We accordingly started out on the morning Of
the 10th, and our experience of this day was very
similar to that Of the day previous. The Colonel
made an uilrr for farm not far from the town,
and when ii became apparent that the owner
would accept, he recalled il. y little later in the
lay he made an offer for Il second tract farther
out on the prairie and quickly recalled that.
again he became anxious To- get back To his fami-
~, and ~ soon rs We were turned towards home