The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-05-20
SUICIDE.

va L Frluay last, lHe community was snOCkeu
by the rumor that the corpse Of young woman
had been found floating in little Fishing. creek
Mouut Pleasant township, and that all the cir
cumstances pointed strongly to suicide The
story proved to be true. The body was discov-
cred, at about two o'clock in the afternoon by a
boy named William Welliver Of Eyer's Grove,
aud he at once called George Hartzel who was
working in an adjoining field. The body was
identified as that of Maggie Shannon, aged
about "a years, daughter ofJackson Shannon
of Jerseytown. She was niece Of Mrs. IebuIon
Shultz of Mount Pleasant and cousin of Mrs.
Chandler Ewes of Millvlle. J. II. Maize, Justice
Of the peace, Of this town. was promptly notified
and repaired to the spot, where he empauelled
a jury consisting or the following persons: John
Wanick. Daniel Wanick, Nevin L. Funk Henry
w. Melck, George Harlzel and John Girton.
The body was examined and the jury adjourned
to meet a. Mr.. Maz='s Office in Bloomsburg on
the following morning to hear evidence in the
case.
The jury let pursuant TO adjournment ~ d
four witnesses testified, in the order following:
Hebulon Shultz swore that Maggie Shannon
was Il niece of his wife; came to his house from
Marietta on Saturday night, May III; she arose
about Eve o'clock on the morning Of the 18Th
aud told Kate Pursel, another niece Of Mr. =.
Shulaz that she was going away; when asked
where she was going replied that she did not
know; he made her stay until after breakfast;
she did not say that she intended TO destroy
herself she was in distress about her situation,
fuse | to reveal it.
Kate Pursel testified as 10 Msggie's leaving
the house; asked witness to accompany her to
the house of Mr.. Pursel the father of witness,
near Mil!viile; could not do so a. Mrs. ShIljzs
baby was sick; Maggie seemed to be in trouble,
and said she knew she would not g.t well said
she would not make trouble for anybody else;
made no remark about putting herself out Of
the way, and wond not tell the cause Of her
trouble. Michael Hawk was waiting on her; he
last saw Maggie; had not called on her since she
returned from Marietta. He told Mr.. joseph
Eek at Millvlle, that if this had not happened
to her he thought she would be his wife; that
he had always liked her, but would not marry
her now; he would 60 TO Jail first. Maggie
lived at Chandler Ewes in the fall of1SS0; Mi
chael Hawk lived there; afterwards she worked
for Joseph Sharpless in Bloomsburg, then al
Jacob Dieilenbach's, after which she returned
to Chandler Ewes.
George Hartzel testified as to the finding o.
the body by Welliver; Daniel Wanich was
called and waded into the creek to pull the
body to the shore; saw no marks of violence
on the body.
Johu Girton testified that Maggie came tC
his house at about half past nine o'clock in tho
morning and asked for drink OF water; n
quired whether the Millville hack had passed;
she carried bundle and walked towards Mill
vile; did not see her again alive.
The jury rendered verdict that Maggie
shannon came 10 her death by drowning her:el
in the water of little Fishingcreek. There is M
doubt that the unfortunate girl had been lee
astray and preferred death rather than endur,
the shame that was soon TO come upon hen
One more VlCllll 10 tul W IiSJ ol tuUse WIZ
have loved "not wisely, but too welp'-on'
more young life sacrificed to passion one NOR
weary soul impatient of the worlds sorrows
impetuousy rushing into the presence of thu
great Judge. An old, old story, but none tn
| less pathetic because the sin and the sham
have been told US so many times.
It is sad enough at the best TO noe the end
| ing of life just when the world looks iares
and brightest, and when the future promise
| joys many and Ills a few. But it is doubt
sad when an earthly career ends so stormily anC
| when the final crime Of self destruction add
| to the blackness of the sins that caused it.
The remains of the poor girl were laid il
their final resting place by the poor overseer
Of Hemlock township--so ends the tragedy.