Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-02

a Startling Suicide Discovered at Fort


From TIE Nc,o York Times
The woods back of Fort Lee have for
years been favorite place for suicides,
but none of the many that have occurred
there has been characterized by the
thorough preparation and determination
of that which was brought TO light early
yesterday morning. Robert w. Benson,
a resident OF Fort Lee and an enthusiastic
sportman, wanders through the woods
and swamps adjacent 90 the village nearly
every morning ln search OF game birds
he started from his home at O'Clock
Yesterday morning, and passing beyond
the village limits, he entered thick
oiump OF oaks standing back OF Pahsade
avenue, close to Watkins pond. As he
entered the clump ne noticed "a sickenlng
stencil coming from the woods beyond.
He hasteued on, the stencil growing
stronger aud stronger, until he had got
about 100 yards within the grove Of
trees.
Al this point he observed short dis
tance beyond black derby hat hanging
on "A hickory stick, which was driven into
the ground beneath large oak. Casting.
his eyes upward a horrible sight met his
gaze. Dangling by u rope from a thick
limb. % feet from the ground, was tue
body Of man, the face blackeued aud
right arm tarOwn around a smaller limb
beneath. Benson Was horror stricken,
and without continuing his hunt ne left
the woods and aroused the people Of the
village. In hall an hour the male popu0-
ton were on the spot, and ali sorts Of
plans were proposed to cut the body
down. No one, however, would venture
10 climb the tree, az the body hung close
by the trunk, and the hdeous sight and
90. al
est among them hesitate.
Finally Benson and George Scott re-
turned to the village, and, procuring axes
cut the tree down, taking care TO fell 1t so
that the body would fall uppermost. This
was done. and then Justice Fitzgerald
made an examination OF the body. II was
that OF man apparently 10 years old, >
feet 10 inches in height, and weighing
about 200 pounds, the features so far as
recognition was possible, Indicating that
he was AN American. The body was
dressed in neatly fitting clothes Of dark
texture and fine quality. In the breast
pocket Of the trOck coat was found this
note, written in pencil in a neat hand:
JUNE n, 1885.
have committed suicide. Cause mental de-
prcssioH. rstsa F-.a
The trousers pockets contained a small
hammer and pair of scissors. a purse.
u -
Ia the coat pocket were found "A British
bulldog revolver, with the four chambers
loaded, and 10 2O-penuy nails bound in
linen rog, and cOrked bottle of chlOro-
form half fun. There WAS nothing what
ever found 10 establish the Identity Of the
suicide. From the back of the head.
knotted handkerchief Was suspended, 80
that Il was tightly drawn over the nos
trils. A careful examination OF the pros
flg nfft MN In
had climbed the tree until he had reached
the main limb, % feet from the ground,
dragging the rope after him. lie bad then
reached uD to The limb above, fastened
one end Of the rope around it, tied the
other about his neck, aud had then seated
himself upon the lower limb. Heknotted
the handkerchief, saturated it with the
chlor0i0rm, replaced the bottle in his
pocket. and then tied the handkerchief
about bis head. When rendered uucon-
sciOus by the action Of the drug he had
swayed Oh from the lofty perch, and met
his end, dropping about eight feet and
being strangled.
w hen the examination had been con-
cluded the dead mans effects We're taken
in charge by the authorities, and Justice
Fitzgerald declaring the case clearly a sui
eide determined that an inquest was not
necessary. He ordered the body to be
afternoon in RidgewRter Cemetery, the
burial being witnessed by half the vii
lage. EN
Last night Mr. CLOSER. the keeper Of
the hotel on the hill Just above the ferry
landing, said that curing the afternoon
an unknown man called upon him and
asked if a stranger had been seen in the
village about three weeks ago carving
kit OF tools, including a hammer and
scissors. He was allowed 10 depart with
out any inquiries as to his address. The
authorities last night had made every
endeaVor TO lind him, without success.
Mr.. CLOSER said that after be had left it
occurred to him thar the man had these
articles In bis pocket. He also remem-
bered that about three weeks since a man
answering the description Of the suicide
had called and inquired if he could not
NIX the hangings and decorations on the
walls dlM heihng. Answered NO" he
lett, starting up the hill toward the viii
lage.
The startling suicide was the sole theme
Of conversation at Fort Lee yesterday
afternoon. The casino was well-nigh
deserted all day and the swings and car
rOusel had no attractions for The
crowds who make this resort
their sunday pleasure ground
The throngs from the ferry and excursion
boats, as soon as the story became known
secured the aid Of the Juveniles OF the
village ae guides, aud these reaped rich
harvest all day long in plotting the crowds
To the lonely spot, where lay the PROSTATE
oak, the scatf0ld from which the dead man
had swung.