New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-01
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
AN AGED WOMAN CUTS HER THROAT.
The AGED WIFE OF RICHARD W. CLARK TAKES HER
oxvx rrVp wUfI DFRANGED.


The AGED WIFE OF RICHARD W. CLARK TAKES hhh
own LIFE WHILE DERANGED
Mrs Helen Clark, wife of Richard w. clark,
assistant secretary OF the Howard Fire Insurance Com
pany OF No CO wallst committed suicide yesterday al
No II West Twelfthst where Ter husband ana sue re-
sided with their son-ln-law Henry A. Oakley, VINO Is
viee-president OF the Bamo company Inc mouse Is
pleasant one Ffthaye. and the family nave hVeu
in quiet but substantial style very happly
together About two months ago, Mrs ClarK.
who was not far from seventy years OF
age exhibited symptoms OF deranged mnd'
Dr. Draper OF Thirty the family physcian
that be closely watched but as her In
sanity was not OF violent type, she was allowed 70
roam over the she pleased Two weeks ago sne
swallowed quantity Of laudanum with the intention OIL
ending her life recovered from It's elects however,
and has since been under the constant OF nurse
Yesterday morning the nurse went to church early
and Mrs Clark who had been conversing with her nus
band In their bedroom left alone, apparently ABOUT
10 fall asleep, when Mr.. Clark went into tho garoen'
This was at half past o'clock An hour ana nan ia'e
q servant passing the door OF the room heaiu
the sound of something dripping upon the floor LOOK
ing in she saw Mrs Clark lying the bed covered Win
blood Mr. Oakley was called, and found his motherln-
law lying at fun length throat cut from car to ear
and her right hand still graspng the razor with whch
she had inflicted the fatal wound She had arisen aiter
her husband left her and had taken the razor irom ne
drawer OF desk In an adjoining room, which was sup
posed TO be securely locked Medical aid was ut once
summoned but before the doctor arrived life was e1-
tinct Clark having bed to death in less than Ten
minutes after her act was discovered
Mrs Clarks married life had been long and happy.
Her only child was the wife OF Henry A. Oakley MT.
skdmore the president OF the Howard Fire Insurance
company and other friends bore testimony to the very
estimabe character Of the lady. For months chronic
derangeInent OF her mind had grown upon her until she
was irresponsible for her acts The members OF the lam
lily were intending go to Europe during the present
weeka plan which Of course has been changed by the
sad event Coroner wotman and his deputy, Dr. Cush-
man. arrived al the house at noon and TOOK the uepOs
lions Of the occupants.
Henry A. Oakley testified: The deceased lady was
nv mo- her-in-aw She had suffered from nervous pros
ration ana alteration OF the mind for the last three
months Two weeks ago she attempted 10 take her own
life by swallowing dose Of laudanum. Since then sue
has been watched by a nurse. DR.. Draper. OF thirty
seyenthst, attended her. The nurse had 10 eaYe last
evening Al $50 this morning she was seen ahys py
her husband. He cOByeTsed with her from o'clock TO
that and then left her. thinking that she WOULD go
sleep again. She spoke In rational manner
minutes of O'Clock Of the servants heard her
heavily. Her attention attracted ana sne
went TO her room and found her lying the bed with
her throat cut She called the family: went IN ana
found her lying the bed with her throat cut ann
razor i'm the right hand. She expired ten minutes AFTER
Richard w. Clark, the husband, testified that his wlte
had been suffering with DrOstration Tor some
time Az balf-aast D. m. he had conversation with
her and she spoke nationally. He went down stairs,
thinking that she about TO go TO sleep soon AFTER
az O'Clock he was informed that she had taken her own
life. ,
will take place the necessary arrangements
have been completed.