Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-02-03
NOT A SUICIDE.
A Dental That Thomas Roberts Threw
Himself In Front of a Train.

Himself Tn Front of a Train.
LWabashaw Herald.]
About two months ago Thomas Roberts
left Wabashaw with his wife to spend the
winter with his daughters, Mrs. ]. r.
Creighton, of Appleton, Wis, and Mrs.
F. J. Tubbs, of Manltowoc, in the same
state, expecting to return home in May.
On Thursday last our people were shocked
by the intelligence published in a st.
Paul paper, that he had thrown himself
in front of a train of cars at Appleton
and been instantly killed. Everybody
felt that it must be mistake-that 1T
must be some other person, and when the
news of his death was confirmed, the idea
of suicide was secuted. We all knew
that he had not taken his own life con-
sciously and Intentionally, and it was felt
then, and since the facts have been fully
stated, 1t is felt still more, that the man
who penned that cruel dispatch deserves
the Condemnation of all, for the added
pangs which his act has caused to the
sorrowing widow and children. Mr..
Roberts death was caused by what In
this life of ours we call accident, and We
gladly give place to letter from his SON
in-la1, Rev. j. R. Creighton, which fully
explains the sad circumstances.
To the Editor of the Herald.
The circumstances connected with the
death of Father Roberts and the reports
that have been so hastily and untruth-
fully given to the public by the special
correspondents, demand that l should
give you somewhat in detail an account
of the manner in which this sad bereave-
ment occurred:
For some days previous to the accident
Father Roberts had complained Of sleep
lessness and palpitation of the heart, Of
pressure upon his chest, and a buzzing,
burning sensation in a certain spot in his
head and occasionally sense Of dizzi-
ness. On the morning of the accident.
however, he felt quite well and cheetful,
having had good rest the night previous.
After chatting pleasantly and happily
with his loved ones for an hour or two
and reading over the draft of a will
which he had requested drawn
| up day or two previous when feel
| ing so poorly he said to his wife and
daughter, II think l will go over and
visit Father Watts" to which his wife
replied, edo father, perhaps it will do
you good. So having shaved himself
and put on his wrappings he said to his
wife who was arranging his scarf on his
neck, "I'll be back presently, mother,
and now you know you always kiss me
when l have shaved MYSELF Yes, she
replied. and giving HIM kiss babe him
| "gOod bye," and he went out never to re-
turn alive. 1t appears that he made the
visit to Mr.. Watts, and instead of return
| ing directly home he went down upon the
island among the mills and railroad tracks
He was seen walking rather quickly along
the street that passes Marston's Spoke
mill until he came to railroad crossing
where the engine on the Chicago & North
western railroad was switching cars
The cars were directly across the street
and for the time being were standing still
while the engine was being coupled
on to some other cars. Father was OBJ
served standing on the street within a
few feet of an obstructing car which was
about the middle of the train, when he
quickly started to pass under the car
standing directly in the street. Just az
he was passing through the space between
the forward and hind truck the engineer
not being aware of his presence moved
train forward or backward, am not sure
which, and father being weak and dizzy
by the STOPPING could not save himself,
and was caught by the wheel crushing
his knee and shoulder and mangling his
right side and bowels terribly. He lived
but a few moments and the physician
who was on the ground before he breathed
his last is of the opinion that he could
hardly have been conscious of pain or
suffering or sensibility more than
q moment. The reports to which
Ii referred had their origin
in the statement of the train man and
must be received i'll the light of the fact
that he was an interested party anxious
to escape censure himself or save his
company from damages that might be
sought for by relatives. While we do not
attach blame to any person, yet one
thing is certain, the reporter who could
so hastily and might say wickedly pub
lish to the world farther, as deliberate
destroyer of his own life, and the papers
| who have copied 1t have refused q very
| bitter drop into the cup of sorrow that is
being pressed to the lips of his weep
ing family and loved Cnes. There was
nothing in all his life and actions and as
sociations to even indicate such thought
on his part, and no one has right to i'm
pugn the motives which actuated him to
pass beneath that car standing in his way
upon the street crossing.
Fathers powers both mental and phys
ical may have begun to fail, but of one
| thing we feel assured, he did not deliber-
ately commit suicide.
Yours Respectfully,
j. B, CREIGHTON
The funeral was held at the Methodist
church in this city on Saturday last, and
the choir sang one more the old familiar
hymns he loved to sing. Rev. Mr.. Ray
of the Congregational church offered
payer, and his pastor, Rev. Mr. Miles,
spoke of his life and virtues from that
very appropriate text. "Blessed are the
dead who die in the Lord" and all that
was mortal of our old friend was laid to
rest in Riverside cemetery.
Will papers which have copied the tel
egram above referred to make a note of
correction.
Chicago Board of Trade swindIe,
CHICAGO Feb "a hraham Neffov