The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-08-11

Boys DESPERATE ATTEMPTS AT SUICIDE
ALL FOR LovE-A JURY DECLARES HIM In.
sANE.-Burton Cochran, n boy seventeen years
old who was employed by Mr.. Harry Wilson
on farm, near Bel Air, last Sunday made two
attempts to commit suicide; first by taking near.
ly an ounce of laudanum and afterwards by en-
deavoring to shoot himself in the heart with Il
revolver The ball entered the left side an inch
below the heart, striking the seventh rib, and
glancing, passed through his body 1t was ex.
tracted from his back by physicians. The youth
was impelled to the deed by being crossed in
love. The story is as follows:
Cochran, while at work for Mr. William G.
Sheridan, farmer living near Bel Air, fell in
love with Oracle Robinson, Mrs Sheridan's sis
ter, II young lady Is years of age, a member OF
Sherdan's family. An intimacy sprang up be-
tween them, but as they were both young, no
particular attention was paid to the youthful
lovers and their doings About the middle OF
last May an undrected latter signed by Coch-
intended for Miss Robinson, and in the letter
the writer informed her that he intended to
kill himself, and asked her to telegraph to his
sister In Washington to come and bury him.
The letter was at first treated as a joke by the
family, but Cochran's attentions became SO i'm
Fortunate that Mrs Sheridan feared he might
induce her sister to elope with him. Cochran
then left Mr.. sheridan's employ, bat was per-
mitted to visit the house OF his pleasure Upon
the advice of Mrs Sheridan, Miss Oracle recent.
ly consented to have nothing more to do with
Cochran.
Last Friday Cochran came to the house, but
the young lady took very little notice of him.
Sunday morning he returned bringing with
him On overcoat and hat which Mr.. Sheridan
had loaned him on previous visit Mr.
Sheridan was seated in the yard and requested
the boy to carry the articles into the house. A
few minutes afterwards Miss Oracle came run.
ming out with bottle in her hand, saying that
Burton had taken laudanum. Mr. Sheridon re-
cognized the bottle as one that had been In the
house, but believed that the boy had merely at
tempted TO frighten Oracle and had poured the
laudanum out of the window. Cochran remained
about the house for some time and then went
off. He joined some boys who were going
swimming, and walked about with them for
some time. The effects of the drug were proba-
bly, dissipated by the walk and excitement.
just after nightfall, as MIR. Sheridan was seat
ed on his porch, he heard pistol shot near
the house, followed by cries and groans Re-
ccgnizing the voice as that of young Cochran,
he went to the spot and found the boy lying
upon the ground wounded, having shot him
self. Securing the pistol, Mr.. Sheridan assisted
him TO the house The boy still declared his
intention of killing himself and to prevent this
Mr.. Sheridan placed guard over him and
went for DIR. r. ID. Lee. The latter with DIR.
&. A. Holingsworth came, and upon examine
tion found that the wound was not necessarily
fatal, but might prove serious. The boy had
opened his vest, and holding the pistol in his
right hand directed II towards his heart The
pistol is self-cocker, and in pulling the trg-
ger the aim was diverted. He declined to talk
and was evidently still under the influence of
the laudanum.
Mrs. Sheridan and her sister were greatly
alarmed particularly as Cochran charged Mrs.
Sheridan with being the cause Of the affair, and
as he threatened, but hers at the same time, she
was anxious for his removal. On Monday,
therefore, Mr.. Sheridan applied to the authorl-
ties, and Judge Maynadier ordered an inquisi-
ton to ascertain whether Cochran was insane or
not. Deputy Carman summoned The following
jury: John H. Shannon, P. E. Carroll, John
d. Worthington, w. Smithson Forwood, A. A. |
Carroll, James q. Trundle. J. ]. M. Alexander,
Geo. W. McMorris, John W. Harkins, Jno. w. !