Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-03

SUICIDE IN BERLIN.-Mr. William
Cummins one of the substantial farm
ers Of Berlin committed suicide by hang
ing last Sunday morning. Mr.. Cummin
was horn on the farm where he died |,
1918 and had nearly completed his six,ie,l
year. lie was son of Stafford Cummln
who married Miss Stickney and from hi
mother he inherited a predisposition I,
suicide. Ills maternal grandmother anC
sister of his mother killed themselves
and his brother Kimball hung himself fit
teen years ago last Wednesday.
Mr.. Cummins some twelve years ago
Was out of health all one Summer and hac
to be closely watched, but recovered hi,
health and spirits. He was genial mar
and. his place being but a mile or so from
here. for years it has been a custom fol
him in sugaring" to have large party
from this village who always hugely en-.
joyed themselves. In all business matters
he was citizen of the strictest integrity
and liberal in his dealings, and had the
respect of his townsmen, as was shown BY
the very great attendance at his funeral
which was held at his house on Monday,
Rev. Mr.. Tenney of Barre officiating. He
was buried at Berlin Corner.
His health has not been good for several
months but he worked till the sugar season
was past when he grew more moody and
Respondent and WAS haunted by the idea of
suicide. For long time his family have
had to watch him. and, at his own desire,
keep out of his way all means by which
he could kill himself Last Frid " he spent
visiting ut Mr.. Albert q. Cummins' in
Montpelier but it was almost impossible
to keep his mind from what absorbed it
AS was evinced by his interruptine "A
Renaissance of some pleasant excursion
by sudden exclamation referring to the
date of his brothers. suicide.
Saturday DR.. Putnam visited him and
that day he gave his pocket knife to his
wife to prevent any danger from that. AT
night he was restless and Mrs. Cummins
who was worn out with continual watch.
ing and anxiety was awake until after one
o'clock. About that time he went out and
being gone some ten minutes his wife
started TO look for him and met him com.
ing from the privy. 1t is very likely that
he was interrupted by her coming from
hanging himself then. On her return she
'fter Il time fell asleep. and starting up
about three o'clock, after a sleep of half
IN hour Or so, found he was gone.
Running to the privy she found him Just
within the door. He was leaning over the
seat and she for moment supposed he
was vomiting, but putting her hand on him
discovered he was dead when she scream
III and aroused his son Volney. Mr..
Cnmmins had fastened II rope around a
BRACE foot or two above his head and
Jutting his neck in moose had leaned
Onward rs he stool upon the floor and
'hoked himself to death. BY standing
erect there would have been no tension
whatever on the rope.
lie had said for some time when his
riends demonstrated with his f,rebodings
hat he would not kill himself if he could
lelp it His disease took the form of look. |
ng on the dark side of everything and he
bought the best place was in the ground. |
lie was twice married, first to Miss Rice,
y whom he leaves son Volney, and af
er her death 10 Ann Flint of Middlesex
bout fifteen years ago. His domestic re-
atoms were very pleasant and there was
% reason except disease and hereditary
which he could not control
hat caused this sad event.