The New York herald., 1879-07-01
LOVE THAT LED 10 SUICIDE.

RICH FARMER BLOWS HIS BRAINS OUT BE-
CAUSE HIS OFFER IS REJECTED-HUNTING-
TON L. l., EXCITED.
Huntington. L. L.. which is seldom. if ever. with
out sensation of some kind has one to-day of such
general interest that hardly anything else is talked
about 1t is the suicide Of Mr.. Joel Scudder, rich
farmer connected with some of the Oldest and best
people Of the island. The circumstances attending
his death are of peculiar nature and not without
an element Of romance.
About five years ago old Mr.. Israel Scudder died.
leaving a large property to be divided between
six children. Two Of the girls married, but
the three boys were bachelors. Joel and George
Scudder bought out the other heirs. and for some
wears the homestead farm. large and productive
one, was run in partnership After WHILE how
ever, Joel bought out his brother and took upon
himself the entire management of the estate. The
unmarried sister. Della. lived with him and kept
house. George also resided with him. After q
while there were rumors Of occasional family mis-
understandings and some time ago William built
house. into which (some time in july he was to
have moved with his sister and brother George,
leaving Joel alone. The latter became melancholy
and complained bitterly of his intended desertion.
1t was commonly whispered, however. among his
neig hbors that he would not be long alone, as he
paying marked attention to the daughter OF q
prominent resident of Cold Springs. This the
of affairs Sunday afternoon, when Joel went
to his stables and selecting his favorie horse drove
away in buggy to Cold Spring. There he visited
his married sister. and afterward the lady to whom
gossip had reported him engaged.
He had told his brother when leaving that he
would not be back till late The family were there
fore somewhat surprised when he returned at six
o'clock Putting his horse in the stable, he went
slowly up the brick walk to his house, and. entering
the dining room. found his sister sitting near the
table, supper being over. She said. 'Joel, we have
bad tea to night: it was warm, so we did not put
the kettle on He replied, "Oh. that is nothing; /
don't care for any,. He then walked to the table and
took from it piece OF cake, which he ate, and after
ward drank glass OF water
SHOOTING.
Miss Della then went up stairs to her brother
George. Before she went however she Joel go
to a closet and take out very handsome double bar
relied breech-loading gun and play with it mo-
ment He also took out large tin box of cartridges
She had been up stairs but moment when both she
and her brother heard the report of the gun They
hurried down, and, not finding Joel indoors fastened
to the back of the house. where they discovered
him lying upon his side quite dead. He
had placed the barrel to his right temple and with
the cleaning stick Of the gun pressed the trigger.
his head was blown Off. The brains were scattered
for six feet around and pieces of the skull were
thrown up fully thirty feet against the wall Of the
house. Physicians were at once sent for, but it
was evident that the unfortunate had not
moved after the first shock He lying peace
fully on his left side, his feet crossed. and his
face, could be told. bearing not
a trace of pain. His body was borne to his resi-
dence and Judge Roph. in the absence OF the
Coroner. Immediately impannelled IL jury. After
examining few witnesses verdict of suicide
rendered The affair has caused the deepest regret
throughout the surrounding country. where Mr..
Scudder widely known and universally
spected From the fact that shortly before he shot
himself he had made arrangements to borrow q
horse for use on his farm to-day it is inferred
that mis- suicidal resolve taken at the last mo-
He died intestate. and the property which he
has acquired by purchase from the heirs OF his
fathers estate will now return to those from whom
he bought it.
The lady to whom the unhappy man paying
his addresses is the eldest daughter of Mr.. Joseph
Buffet living about three miles from Mr.. scudder's
farm. She Is comely woman perhaps twenty five
years old. She was greatly shocked by the news of
her suitors rash act In reply to the questions of
HERALD reporter she said that Mr.. Sculder been
paying attentions to her for several months, but
that she had given him no ragenent. lie had
proposed marriage several times. but had been re-
jected. On Sunday when he called, he in the
habit of doing he renewedshe offer and received the
same answer before. He did not seem specially
downcast on this occasion and had made .
! thraa of suiai