The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-10
TRAGEDY AT TOWNSEND.
A Strolling Minstrel Commits Suicide in .
Shocking Manner.

TOWNSEND, May 9.-TSpecial. IA blood
curdling suicide shocked and awakened our
quiet going community this afternoon as
nothing else could have done. Last Mon
day forenoon the west bound freight over
the Northern Pacific dropped off here
quaint appearing little old man, aged about
IS, dressed in black. silent as syhinx, yet
evidently suffering from some mental or
physical trouble. No one could meet or pass
him without noticing these characteristics.
Coming up town from the depot carrying
grip and bag of personal effects, he st opped
into the place of Geo. Noah, whom he evi-
IDENTIFY recognized as an old veteran of the
army. and got permission to leave his lug
gage there, yet said nothing as to who or
what he was. He tramped the town over
from end to end, dropping in here and
there for drink. but eating nothing,
and scarcely saying word. Late at night
when the Odd Fellows lodge adjourned
after a siege OF limitations, the stranger was
found fallen among old boxes, hurt and
moaning loudly, and was kindly slowed
away out of the chilling night air. Next
day he discovered that Wallie Stafford, the
village barber, was an old acquaintance of
Is years ago at Glendale, and calling in at
his place received some shillings to help
him in his distress. For night or two he
tramped the town continuously, rapping at
windows and doors and frightening women
and children more or less. This after
noon, during Barber Stafford's tenn
porary absence, he stepped into the
shop, picked up one of the
razors, walked down to the railway station,
into the station clubhouse and there. after
partially disrobing, made an inch long, clear
cut incision down through and severing the
main or lower femoral artery of the right
leg between the thigh and knee, as perfectly
as though he were skilled surgeon. Al
though his life's blood was oozing rapidly
he arranged his clothing and walked out of
the outhouse and across the street to the
depot, where he fell exhausted in his self
drawn gore. Several citizens went to him
and DIR. Belcher was promptly summoned,
but the poor victim was dead before aid
could be rendered.
The corpse was raised upon the platform.
Justice Averill viewed it and from the
verdict was that deceased came to his death
from his own hands by means of razor
slash as above described. An investigation
of his effects showed the sad-eyed suicide
to have been in life James French, mu-
sical genius and master teacher. During the
late war he served in the Seth N. Y. infantry
as chief musician. Since then he has evil
IDENTIFY travelled far and wide, making mu-
sic-teaching his vocation. With him were
found his well-worn flute and clarionet and
many evidences of his having been re-
fined, scholarly man and holding response
bic positions in his profession.
James Jobb, of Bedford, and others rec
ognized the dead man as an old acquaint-
ance at Sheridan. Madison county, all
speaking respectfully and kindly of him.
The remains will be laid away tomorrow
in the old Centerville cemetery near here
and the effects OF the deceased held by the
au thorities for demand by the relatives.