The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-07-16
MRS. CoLroN's DIARY.

MRS. CoLrON's DIARY.
A Life of Sorrow Ended by suicide-Her
Heartburnings, Troubles and Fears Graph
icaIly Described by Herself.
New York Herald, July 81
Mrs. Josephine A. Cotton, a moment be-
fore she placed the fatal pistol to her heart,
surrendered her wedding ring to her kind
landlady, and requested, with her dying
breath, that it be buried with her. at the
same time she exclaimed, Take these
newspapers for publication; they contain
record of my sufferings."' Such were the
dying requests of the unfortunate
woman. Her next act was to shut
herself in her room, place a pillow
on the floor, on which she reclined her
two pistol bullets, sending third crashing
through her brain. Death, of course, was
instantaneous. That she had meditated
suicide for long time could be learned
from her diary, which she designated on the
fiyleaf. THE Memorandum OF My Daily
Life" These pages were written at first in
clear, neat hand, but latterly the writing
was blurred, and almost illegible. She
began to record her experience and griey-
,ances two years ago, and only ceased adding
to her autobiography with her death. These
records contain the daily history of heart
On May II she writes:
My life for the last year has been one con-
slant round of sadness and ill-luck. Oh! what
terrible mistake made when moved into
that house with that woman! She is of the
lowest of Gods creatures. How much she has
added to my trouble! And when think of
much beneath me in everything that goes to
make up good woman and the consequent
der that retain my reason. How lonely am
in this great woridi lam working night and
mS 70 labor The that Tec mG In
the will case In Boston l am glad is gone.
Writing September 2S she exclaims:
Oh! what / have heard to-day freezes my
blood! My husband living at No. Eldridge
street with a woman he calls his wife. i have
been down there and she gives his name, Mrs
w. r. Cotton, and am going mad. She left
her husband to live with him, and she told me
she was married to Mr.. Cotton 10 years ago, but
she would not tell me where, as they were
b; b tId nc thot NJ CIs ~, h
was married to me . years ago, and that my
claim was the best.
January % she was approaching crisis in
her mental disturbance, which was driving
her to do something desperate. She says:
/ have taken a step tonight that may lead
to a change. May God in mercy send it. My
soul is sick with horror at the life am forced
to lead.
January 90, three days after writing the
above she took the contemplated step re-
3
infiictIng a dangerous wound. Herald
reporter reached the house shortly after the
occurrence and saw the injured woman and
her husband. She appeared to be calm and
resigned. When the husband took the
reporter aside, to explain the case privately
she called out in feeble voice, ''Do not talk
in whispers; I want to hear what you are
saying about me-"
II am only telling the gentleman" he
replied soothingly.. "that the shooting was
entirely accidental"
'Ohl have no objection to your telling
him that" was the respondent response.
Referring to this attempt on her life she
writes January 30:
1t is four days since have seen you, my lit
tie book. Now that am getting well will
renew old acquaintance again. But the pain
in my breast is still severe; yet, am happier
than usual.
In another place she writes:
think my time is short here: at any rate
whole year at least have not seen a happy
moment. can not even sleep, for my dreams
are troubled with my Sorrows; often wonder
my husband, you have wrecked my life; but
forgive you II your conscience lets you
rest am satisfied.
In this manner she kept brooding over her
grievances until her reason became unset
tied. September 10 she says:
believe that If this lasts much longer it will
make me insane. II looks darker and darker.
L gay alIer Qdy anu night alUcI nlSnt sllOue,
without friend to speak to, until almost
forget the sound of my voice. / am mentally
and ply sically broken down.
These extracts are a fair sample of the
general character OF the diary. 1t lie sad
and sorrowful record of a loving, sensitive
woman becoming physically and mentally
wrecked. The husband whom she complains
had neglected her in life, when made &C
| qusinted with the sad manner of her death
called at the scene of the tragedy late Mon
day night. Yesterday he informed Coroner
Whitman that he was anxious to receive 9
death certificate, SO as to bury the remains
He represented that the last time he saw his
| wife alive was at p. M, when she wors
diamond earrings diamond ring, and 9
gold watch and chain. He was solicitous te
regain possession of these articles. Wher
the body was found deceased wore no jew
elry. Sc had as already stated, delivered {
plain gold ring and chain and locket to hel
landlady. which she requested should bs
| buried with her