St. Paul daily globe., 1886-08-19
ATTEMpTEA, SUICIDE.
A Minnesota Woman Tires of a Lif,
Devoted to Crayon Drawing ant

A Minnesota Woman Tires of a Life
Devoted to Crayon Drawing and
Faith Healing.
Special to the Globe
Boston, Mass, Aug. 1S.-Unfortunate
and pretty May Dunn, % years old, whose
unhappy life came so near fatal ending
in the waters of Nantasket beach, has a
strange history. Young, sensitive and pos
sessed of little physical strength, she has
fought against poverty and distress, has
been buffeted about the world. Minnesota,
where her parents live, was without attrac-
ton for her. Her parents, poor, industrious
and worthy, could barely furnish her with
the necessities which growing womanhood
demanded. Her desire was to come East,
cultivate what talents she had and lay by
her hard-earned wages that she might add
to the comforts Of her parents. At length
circumstances favored her and she left her
home and kindred strong in the belief that
i'll the East where wealth and opportunities
abound, even a girl might with industry and
application earn an honest and decent live
hood. Miss Dunn reached Boston about
two years ago. She eagerly sought the pro-
fesSiOn for which she had been endowed
with natural gifts. The struggle was hard,
and she was forced at last to give it up.
Her abilities as crayOn artist were pro-
nounced, but none cared for an almost I'M
known girl. Her name had never been
heard outside the limited circle of her ac
quaintances. and though she studied assid-
OuSly and her tutor gave her endless en-
couragement she was obliged to succumb
to the necessity and abandon her work.
Her uncle, Bella French of Weymouth,
said this afternoon:
Something over year ago Miss Dunn was
stopping at Dorchester and became a firm
believer in faith cure and for a time she par
TALLY abandoned hercrayon work and devoted
herself wholly to the study of this profession
Her success was apparently marvellous
Numerous patients were obtained, upon
whom she worked with varying results. She
remained in Dorchester some months, and
then removed 10 her present apartments in
the Young WOmenS' Christian association. At
this time she again took up crayon work, and
her time now was entirely occupied. Her
mind cure patients increased. but her crayon
work did not flourish nor did her receipts
from medical patients insure her livelihood.
She perSeVered, hoping that study would ef-
feet the desired Improvement and obtain for
her the needed financial aid. The work,
however, told upon her. Night after
night she would devote herself to her chosen
pursuit, abandoning everything in her gre ed
to obtain the perfection that must insure
success, and as the time elapsed from the
bright, fun-loving girl she became morose,
quiet and distant, refusing all society or even
intercourse with her fellow dodgers at the
association. Still her patrons increased and
within few months she numbered about
twenty, to whom she devoted her energy and
powers. The result was not satisfactory,
and she evidently felt that she was losing
that little strength she did possess, and
morOsenesS and disappointment followed.
Such was the effect upon her system that
several times within week she endeavored
to commit suicide by jumping from her win
dow at the institution, but every time, as she
herself said, she was prevented by some
power which held her back. Her mind
now was evidently weakened by the
terrible strain upon it, but she still
felt that some impending trouble threatened
and accordingly wrote to Mrs. Chick of Dor
chester, who is also a believer in mind cure,
telling her that she needed some power to re-
strain her actions and would visit her, which
she subsequently did. She returned to the
institution shortly after and was still quiet,
but never showed the slightest symptoms of
insanity. She left home yesterday for Nam
tucket and waited after the steamer had
reached the dock there until the last pasSen-
ger was ashore. She then tied a handker-
chief about her eyes and was seen in this
condition in the ladies' parlor by the steward
eSS, but when the latter turned her
back she had disappeared. After remaining
in the water short time when she was res
cued by Con Lawson. a clam digger, and
taken to the Ocean Cottage. A physician was
summoned and she finally recovered con-
sclousness. She was subsequently taken
home, where she arrived last night at IL
O'Clock and was at once put to bed. This
morning she was still very i'll from the effects
of her plunge, but is rapidly recovering, and
has the greatest remorse for her attempted
suicide. She has promised faithfully not to
make another attempt upon her life, and is
most anxious that her parents should be told
nothing of the events of yesterday.