The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1878-01-12
SUICIDE.
Death Of Col. j. c. Lininger-A Sad
aud 3rcxplicablc Tragedy.

Sesween tho hours Of . P NJ. on last
Sabbath and o. ~. Monday rs strange
and sad tragedy US was ever enacted
within the borders Of RitchiO county
transpired ip Iiarrisrille. Prof. John
@. Liniuger, we'll known to many Of
our citizens as man Of intellect and
education, took his destiny into his
own hands, and terminated his life.
Tho particulars of this startling and
wocful affair, arc as follows, as yearly
as We can gather them:
At the first mentioned hour, Prof.
l.ininscr went to tho drug store in this
place, md purchased two Dances Of
lauIlanum, stating that be wanted it
for his wife. When NJ. Iams. the
druggist. remarked that thirty drops
would be sufficient for dose, tho for
mcr replied that he knew all about it.
US he had frequently used it in his
family. Prof. L:uingcr paid for tic
drug sat and talked chcrrfully for soIC
time, and then wcpt to his homo about
q square away. Entering he told his
wife be had some prussic acid, aud in
tended to take it. This lady says that
shc saw tho vial, and beholdiug dark
liquid. vas compelled TO disbclicss her
husband, knowing the acid is white
lie went into the kitchen, aud. as is
now supposed, took tho laudanum while
there. Returning to the sitting room,
he threw himself on lounge, rOusing
himself two or three times, but finally
sinking into that sleep from which be
never awokc. Mrs Lininger sat until
midnight. and at last fearing the worst
aroused her nearest ncighburs. DR..
Bali was called but too la:c to be Of
any beucG:. Il few minutes before
nino o'clock, on Monday morning, John
c. Lininger brcathed his last.
The deceased mau stated a short time
before he committed the final act, that
he had dressed himself tor the grave
lie also sail that he was about to take
his lost. long sleep. Further, he caus'
cd his son to make a peculiar mark, iu
tho shape Of a cross, upon the coiu with
which he paid for The fatal drug All
these Thugs seem to bear out the the
ory Of premcditatiOu.
1t is difficult TO assign a reason for
this uct Of sclf.dcstructiOn; hard to Of
fer satisfactory explanation. Yet it
is true Prof. Liuiuger bad once bceu
IN good financial circumstances, which
had changed until he was pour man.
Ills vas a proud aud sensitive spirit,
aud no doubt, he was harrasscl and
depressed on account Of financial diff
cuties. 1t is mOuruful to have 10
write. in addition, that as bright m
Intellect as his should frequently be
cloudcd by the use Of spiritOus liquors
This taking OF his own Tie followed /"
holiday week. 1t may be that free
FROM tlcsinIucuc9 ola s'imu ant weary
in soul, depressed, discouraged, hope
less, his mind sank I" despair, and
reached the verge oi'nsaniiy. he took
the draughs that to iIIm seemed to con-
tain tho promise Of everlasting rest.
80 this us it may, no common per-
son has parted from among US. Joh"
G l.inihgcr was gentleman in cul-
ture, u fine scholar and thorough cd.
ucator. No mOrc compnuionahlo genial
sOciabIo man ever existed. His sif, Of
language was unusual. lie pos, ssed
a mind us bright nui strong as polished
steel. Now that he has gone, let the
mantle Of charity DO thrown over his
faults and that which was poblc about
him, remembered. Richie Ga=e!tc,
Extra.