The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-10
OSCAR PARRY'S SUICIDE.
The Boy Grieyed for His Mother, From
Whom lie Was Separated.

HARTFORD, Conn. Sept 9-The death by
suicide in Philadelphia on Sunday morning of
the eleven year old son of VIM. H. Parry. form
srly of this city, caused special interest here
from the fact that the troubles of the father and
mother of the boy have been publicly known for
the past three years. 1t is not believed here that
the boy shot himself because OF mental disturb
ances growing out of his reading sensational
newspaper story, as other causes are more likely
to have affected his mind and brain Mr. Parry,
his father, for many years held responsible and
lucrative position with the Connecticut Mutual
Life Insurance Company, and his home was an
exceptionally pleasant one. His relations with
his family were extremely happy. In August
1882 Mr. Parry went to Block Island and remained
four weeks. The letters he wrote to his wife
were of the most endearing character, but upon
his return in September Mrs. Parry was amazed
to discover an entire change in his conduct. He
was no longer affectionate. Her astonlshment
increased when he presented an agreement in
writing providing for. mutual separation, pend
ing divorce proceedings which he desired her TO
sign. She refused. In this document Mr.. Parry
agreed TO pay his wife $50 month until the
court had acted on the petition for divorce, and
he made provisions for the use of the house by
herself AS she refused to sign it he left his
home, and in December filed proceedings for di-
vorce, alleging intolerable cruelty on the part
of his wife. Those who had known and liked
him were as much astonshed as his own family
friends at this strange conduct Mrs. Parry's
friends say there was no ground for divorce, and
Perry's own counsel admitted there was none,
and it was never pressed. Last fall there was a
fresh and violent demonstration on Parry's part.
When he LEFT his wife he had three children, all
6oys-Edwin H., Oscar l.. and baby two years
old. The latter soon afterward died of diph-
iberia The older boys attended the West Dis
arict Middle School. They left their mother one
morning, usual, to go to school Mrs. Parry has
never seen them since Parry went to the
school house in the forenoon, and, calling them
out, took them away and sent them to Canada.
where he has relatives Mrs. Parry supposed
they were there until news was received to-day
of the death of Oscar. On the day when he sent
the children away Mr. Parry sent men and teams
to the Elmwood House. and had it stripped of
carpets furniture, pictures, and household eff
fects generally, leaving only bedstead and
bedding and a few other things for his wite's ac-
eommodation. She protested, and at once con-
suited a lawyer But the law in this case was
on her husbands side, and she was powerless to
protect her own house or even to get back her
children. Fortunately, she had brothers in good
financial circumstances, and she has been we'll
cared for since her husband deserted her. An
item in Philadelphia paper yesterday morning
referring to the fact that the mother of the dead
boy is living although she has not been with
him for some time, and saying that lit is thought
the lad had been grieving for her" affords a
clew to the cause Of the suicide, which is con-
sidered reasonable among all persons here who
are familiar with all the facts in the case.