Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-01-10
SUICIDE OF 4 mrs1srrn.
The Rev. Fielder Israel, Formerly
OF Wilmington, Cuts His Throat.

The Rev. Fielder Israel, Formerly
OF Wilmington, Cuts His Throat.
A special from Salem, Mass, dated
Friday, says: At o'clock this afternoon
the wife OF the Rev. Fielder Israel one OF
the most prominent Unitarian diyines in
this state, and native of Baltimore.
Nd, found the lifeless body of her hus.
band in a pool of blood on his Btndv
floor. An alarm was at once raised, aud
an investigation proved that the I'M
fortunate clergyman had cut HIS throat
with razor. DIR. Israel was seen by an
intimate acquaintance TO 20 into his study
In the vestIy Of his church, which Ia the
FirHt Church. Mrs. Israel, becoming
alarmed because her husband did not
como home at the usual hour, went to the
study to look for him.
DR.. Israel was noticed by his friend to
appear very melancholy, and in the
course of conversation remarked that
''there was nothing In the world but
death, death, death" The doctor was on
che transfer steamer Maryland, which was
burned in New York two weeks ago, and
his Hystem received NJ that time a severe
shock, fTou which he had not recovered
This doubtless brought ON the inelan-
oholia which caused his dreadful deed.
The Rev. Fielder Israel was born in
Baltimore in 1927, was educated for the
Methodist ministry and offieiated in carly
manhood as o clergyman in that denom-
nation, before connecting himself with
the Unitarian church. He lived IN Balti-
more during the war, where he married,
and where he achieved distinction as
Jealous unionist. In 1866 he became
pastor OF the FIRST Unitarian Church OF
Wilmington, the members OF which had
been worshipipg first in q private hop9e
and afterwards in the Institute Hall
lecture room. Under Mr.. FEEDERS ell
Client ministration the work of erecting
the church building, on West street above
Eighth, now occupied by the eopgrega.
ton, was soon begun and pushed to com.
pleiion, the new church being dedicated
March 9sh, 1868. He remained pastor ct
this church until the close OF 1876.
when he resigned to 90 to
Taunton, Mass, subsequently returning
for short season, after which which he
departed to Salem, Mass. During the ten
years of his Wilmington pastorete, MIR.
Israel was untifinglY diligent, not only
In the church, but likewise in the promo
tion of temperance, morality and edusa-
tional work outside of his church. The
temperance upheaval Of 1876 was ono OF
the movements in which he WAS especially
interested. The Delaware Institute Of
Mechanic Arts, held in tho upper story Of
the Bradford market house, WAS another
enterprise in which he took q keen
interest, and he delivered several scian
tifio lectures before that body.
In personal appearance. Mr.. Israel
showed tho Hebrew descsnt indicated bS
his name and on which he prided himself
He was fine scholar and deeply
read in historical and Hoientihc
literature. As speaker he wa.
rather direct and earnest than elo
quent; logical rather than graceful. HI
was, while here, o member OF Eureki
Lodge, A. f. A. NJ, and Of Delta Chapter
Royal Arch Masons, and also grand chap
lain Of the Grand Lodge of Delaware, A
+. A. NJ, and, after his removal to tina
state, became grand chaplain of tn
Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts,.
In its account of the death Of the Rev
Fielder Israsl, the Boston Herald of Sat
urday said. "The fact has been wei
known for some time that Mr.. Israel wa
not in his right mind. He was on tn
transfer steamer Maryland the night sh
was burned few weeks ago. he WI
aroused from his sleep and barely escape
with his life, the top Of the car fallir
in beside him. The shock completed
Frustrated him, and for week he did nj
seem natural; end when he did h
friends all noticed that all his old lii
and buoysnt spirits had gone. He 81
peared depressed and Respondent, an
complained that he could not sleep"
Bosros, Jan. s.-The funeral Of the Re
Fielder Israel, grand chaplain OF the Graz
Lodge of Mtsons of Massachusetts, wi
committed suicide In his study on Fridf
took place yesterday from his late resident
IN Salem. The services were OF n priya
character. but the house was crowded. ~
officers OF the Grand Lodge wore pressl
Besides these there were representatives
Sutton Lodge and Selectmasters and 9th
lodges. The Salem branch OF the Nation
League, the mayor and many promlne
citizens were also present. Many OF Y
Masonic bodies sent floral tributes. ~
First Unitarian Society Of which Mr.. lsra
was pastor, also sent number OK remet
ORANGES. The body was taken to Baltimor
The interment at Baltimore will be ma
with Masonic honors.
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