Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-20
THE cLARKssURe SUICIDE.
The Testimony Before the Coroner Points
to the Insanity of Mr.. osborn-rhe Yer.
diet,
Special = As RsciItr

to the Insanity OF Mr.. osborn-rhe Yer
diet.
Special . tie RsciItsr
CLARKsBURG, W. Va, August l9.-Fesr
ful excitement prevailed here yesterday
morning on the announcement of the sui
eide of Joseph F. Osborn. He was prom,
inSnt gentleman and one of our most en-,
terprising cirizens The shock was gcsst
to his family, and peculiarly so when so uu-
expected. However, some have noticed for
several months past that he was exceeding.
| ly despondent and that some trouble was
weighing heavily on his mind. No one is
able to assign any direct cause for so rash
an act. He arose early at about o'clock
and as usual went to his place of business
on Pike street, where in the Office at about
o'clock he was found dead sitting in q
chair at the desk, by a colored man by the
name of Pollock Lowry who was in his en-
ploy. At the request # certain friends OF
the deceased, coroner inquest was held
by Squire Tinsman, and jury impaneled
consisting Of these persons: R. S. North
cott, a. F. Criss Jas L Stesley ]. W.
Thorn, Geo W. Siers, A G. Smith, Joseph
Psrill, J. H. Smith, Jas. Monroe. Jas H. Stew
art, W. T. Day aud A. CsywoOd The testimony
at The iRquisition was reduced to writing by
Msrcellus Thompson, and was substantially
as follows:
Pollock Lowry have been working for
Mr.. Osborn for some time. Came to the
foundry at about seven o'clock. Was look
ing for a wheel5arrow Asked Mr. Woods
and Mr. Rsltzsy where Mr. Osborn was
Went into the office and found MIN sitting
in chair. Was considerably frightened
and returned and told Mr.. Baltzsy and Me-
Woods that be was dead. The door to the
office was half closed.
Was He Insane?
L. S. Woods-Am in the employ of o..
born. Have discovered a great change in
hIm since came here. He seemed to be
worried over everything and trou-
0ied. BOn't thiak he acted as
man Of sound mind. This has been
noticed 5y me for several months. Pollock
told me Osborn was in the office dead. Mr..
SGltzey opened the shutter. When Pollock
went to the Office to see Osborn he came
right back to Us greatly excited. | not cd
one of Mr.. Osborn's hands resting on the
desk, and the revolver on chair on left side
under his leg.
Mr.. Bailey, who has bsen in Mr.. Os-
borns employ for twenty years, scquiesced
in the testimony given and added; | have
noticed for six or eight weeks something
wrong with Mr. Osborn. he seemed
troubled. l told Mr. Woods about two
weeks ago that it would not astonish me a.
any time for Mr. Osborn to put himself out
frhe way"
Mr. A c. 0sborn stated rhst there had
been Derringer revolver belonging to him
in the possession of bis father, Mr. Joseph
+. OsbOrne, and that it was kept in the
safe. That tho revolver exhibited to the
jury was the same one.
". G Osborn-"My uncle would some
time come 10 the chop where | was work
ing. lOGctd be was considerably wor
ried. Ihaye Seen d revolver in the safe in
the Office There is 10 revolver now in the
safe.
Guy Osboru-"My father has been some
what depressed. he has acted
strangely for some months. l have
seen the revolver in the safe
within three weeks oil this time"
q q ~ "u;- ----A-i ---I:';~- --NS
bad. think he has been deranged for
months. ! did not think him Of sound
mind on Yesterday evening. He was de-
pressed. He told me he had trouble. He
said if it was not for his family he would not
care for living"
f Tinsman-"On last Sunday morning
took q walk to the west end Of town AMI
came to the office of Mr.. Osborn, inding
he was in il with the front door fastened.
lie came out and went up street to the post,
Office with me. On the way inquired if he
had b, ea sick. as he looked bad
and his voice seemed weak
lie told me that he was IN ais usual
health, but seemed to me to be respondent
aud did not participate generally IN con-
versation.
The Verdict.
A summsry Of the material facts have
haep given. while the evidence before the
coroner was very elsborstely taken. No
WIRING or letter WAS discovered IN which
An .Xplanstiun of the suicide vas made.
lie body having been viewed by the Jury
apd all the evidence csreiully considered,
the following verdict was rendered:
The Jurors sworn 10 inquire when, how
ard By what ms ans Joseph F. Osborn came
20 his dea'h upon their oaths do say: that
On the 18Th day Of August 1885, between
rhe hours of o'clock and
o'clock a. m al the office Of }
E. Osborn Brcs 4 Co, of Clsrksburg, in
s,id ccurty be ssid Joseph F. Osborn
came 10 his death by pistol shot wound
inflicted by his own hands, a1d snPerincuced
ov mental arrangement.
In testimony whereof the coroner and
Jury set their hands aud the clerk certified
the evidence.
Mt. Osborn leaves large family; how
ever, in good circumstances. He was al
wsys industrious and identified in nearly
every enterprise The community has lost
A worthy citizen, the family the deares'
f,iend-a farher ard husband. The De.
reaved have the sympathy OF host OF
L