Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-07-16
sfRYcHNINE AND wHlsxEY.
The FIRST the Terrible Weapon, and the
Latter the Cause Of the Death Of
ALEXANDER BLAND.
A Most Horrible and Shocking Suicide.

County Coroner, j. G. Comfy, Of this
city, was notified of the discovery oil
the dead body of Mr.. Alexander
Bland, in his own house at his farm
five miles southeast of this city.
DR.. Comfy called in the assistance OF
Constable Alison Bovee and in com.
pany with a number Of citizens OF
town repaired to the place designa-
ted to investigate the matter. Upon
arriving at the house it was found
to be closed and all the doors lock-
ed and blinds down, except one win
dow at the back, through which
could be seen the dark outlines of a
man lying on the floor of the south
room used as a bed room. Officer
Boyee at once kicked in the door,
and a most horrible and sickening
smell came forth, but the party en-
tered, some Of them holding their
noses, and there beheld the most
terrible sight human eyes ever gaz-
ed upon. The body of a human be-
ing was lying in the middle of the
floor on its back, the head thrown
back, the forehead almost resting on
the floor, n arm sticking straight
up and the other out in a horizontal
position with clenched fists, one leg
sticking out and the other drawn up
and the body in a writhing position,
indicating the horrible death from
the effects of strychnine. The body
was almost nude, and swollen, and
was in a terrible state of decomposi.
ton. The face was black as SCOT,
and swollen 60 it vas beyond recog-
milton. Coroner Comfy ordered a
jury to be summoned to hold an in
quest, and Officer Bovce summoned
c. Fl. Freeman, o. M. Walters and
c. L. Mallahan, who we're present,
to act in that capacity. The jury
was worn and proceeded to inves-
tigate, and elected the following
facts in regard to history and tragic
end of the deceased Mr.. Alexander
Bland: Mr.. Bland came to Union
county from Indiana some two years
ago, and bought the farm upon
which he resided at his death, of
DR.. G. P. Bennett. His family, con-
sisting of a wife and seven children,
most of whom are nearly grown, fol-
lowed soon after. 1t appears hal
before leaving Indiana, Mr.. and Mrs.
Bland entered into an agreement
and signed articles of separation and
have not lived together since they
have been here, Mrs. Bland upon
arriving here buying the Silas Rohr
farm where she has lived ever since
with her family. This state Of af-
fairs was caused by the incorporate
habits of Mr.. Bland. Mrs. Bland is
a fine, intelligent lady and is highly
respected wherever known, and if
W did not deem it our duty as q
public journalist, we would not re-
cord these facts to harrow her feel
ings. Her friends deeply sympa-
thize with her in this unfortunate
affair. Mr.. Bland lived alone, al
most, one of his sons being with him
only part of the time, The deceas-
ed came to town on last Thursday,
circus day, and during the afternoon
imbibed too much liquor, and was
arrested by Marshal Crum for drunk
enness and taken before Justice Sui
ter. He employed Hon. E. W. Mil
Ter to defend him from the charge,
stating that he was not drunk, but
sick, and upon Mr.. Miller stating
that he would become responsible
for his appearance, the cas- vas ad-
journed until two o'clock the next
day. The defendant failed to put
in an appearance at the appointed
time, and Mr.. Miller paid the costs
and no more was thought of the
matter. Bland seemed to be very
anxious to get home that night, as he
offered the officer who arrested him
nearly a hundred dollars, all he had,
if he would let him go. As the Sc
quel to this proves, he had at this
time made all necessary arrange
ments to take his own life.
The Jury examined two or three
witnesses. the parties who informed
the coroner, and neighbors Of the de-
ceased. Mr.. Berry, and another
gentleman a neighbor went over to
Mr.. Blands house on Monday NOR
ming on some business. They no.
ticed that the house was closed up
tight, and the horses in the pasture
near by were nearly famished for
water. They supposed that Mr..
Bland had gone away SC they wa
tered the horses and some pigs in
a pen, and finally concluded, that
there might be something wrong so
they went to the back ofsthe house
looked into the window, around
which was a swarm Of flies, and q
bad smell oozing out. They saw
l Ill 1900. Als-- -z lA ~s~I