The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1891-03-27
GREENFIELD HILL.

sorrow and sympathy excited by the lat
est, the suicide, Sunday, of Morris w.
Morehouse. Young, healthful, well-to-
do, there could be but one reason for his
act, dependency and despair caused by
the death OF his wife, last May. over
this he brooded, magnifying it and all
other troubles and producing, at last,
settled melancholia, from which he had
suffered for months. Yet at times he
would appear to shake off the spirit of
despair and would for days be his former
self, active, cheerful and jovial COM
panion. 1t was noticeable, however, that
the melancholia became deeper and more
firmly seated with time and fears for his
reason began to be felt. Once, at least,
he wandered from home with no idea of
his destination or errand. He appeared
to rally from this attack and fears were
allayed, despite the fact that insanity has
been hereditary in the family. A few
weeks ago, he was again seized by hit
of dependency, but gave no implication
of desire to do himself harm. During
the week before his death, he was seen
by many in all parts of the town and,
with hardly an exception, is spoken of as
being in his usual frame of mind, intelli-
gently answering all remarks addressed
to him, but saying little about himself
Saturday night, when he ate supper with
his two children, the hOusekeeper and
neighbor, Mrs Meeker, he gave no sign
of the terrible determination to take his
own life. During the meal, he gave Mrs
Meeker an invitation to "come over Of
ten; as often as possible" Mrs Meeker
remained at Mr. Warehouses; during the
night and noticed that the little son, who
had been accustomed to sleeping with his
father, was not allowed to do so. Be-
tween and 3 O'Clock, Sunday morning,
the entire household was startled by the
muftled report of a gun in Mr. More
houses room. The door was opened as
quickly as possible and the unfortunate
man found in his bed, partly dressed.
From a terrible wound in his breast was
pouring the life blood and he was dead
almost Immediately, the heart having
been struck The gun was double bar
relied but only one charge had been fired
and the position of the body made it
probable that the muzZle of the gun had
been placed close to his breast and the
trigger pressed by reaching forward with
the hand. The neghborhood was at once
alarmed and DR. w. II. Donaldson Of
Fairfield, medical examiner for the town,
notified as soon a possible. He could do
no more than find that the cause of death
was gunshot wound inflicted by Mr.
Morehouse himself. Dea Hill, brother
in-law of Mr. Morehouse, was placed in
charge of affairs at the Morehouse man
sion, pending the appointment of an ad-
ministrator on the estate. Among the
articles which he was called to take in
charge was keen-edged razor, found
under the pillow of the bed in which Mr.
Morehouse slept, proving that he had
wrought out in his own mind the ques-
tion and means of suicide and was deter
mined to end his life by cutting his
throat, if the gun failed him. The theory
of insanity is held by many and it is pos
n 1,INsN
fired in moment of mental arrangement
or recklessness, but the care with which
preparations had been made shows thor
ough generalization. But whatever the
cause, the deed is done; Morris More
house is at rest. Only 30 years old, of
striking figure, popular with his neigh
bOrs and associates, successful and
prosperous farmer, two children, boy
and a girl of tender years Give and sew
en- to look to him as their only parent
and adviser, it would seem that parental
duties would alone have been sufficient
to cause him to put away thought OF
self destruction. the funeral will be at
tended from his late residence, Friday af-
ternoon.
Mrs George X. Mills lost her pocket
book, Sunday, somewhere between her
house and Henry Gould's. There were
about $l3 in it. Any one finding and re-
turning the same will receive the heart
felt thanks of Mrs Mills.
The desirable farm of the late Dea John
Banks is for sale.
Fred Jennings is out of town. At last
reports, he was in Chicago.
Owing to storm, Saturday, only a
quorum were present at Band of Hope
meeting. One new member, however.
The Easter service planned by Band of
Hope will be omitted.
George Banks, lad of nine, escaped
serious accident, while spending day
in Westport, last week. He was with a
boy who had pistol, which accidentally
went off, shooting George in the head.
Three shot are lodged in the bone. For
tunately he suffers little from them.
Mrs John Ferris has visited friends in
New Haven.
Sherwood Banks has bought a Devon
steer of John Ogden.
John Nichols is making improvements
on his house; Perry Brothers do the
work.
+. B. Sherwood and c.. Is. Wakeman
have WISHED Lester Fanton of Weston.
Mrs Betsy Banks, who has been with
her daughter, Mrs l.. Burr of Burr street,
where she has been caring for her grand
daughter Josie, is home.
Mrs Milbank and daughter Carrie re-
turned home, Saturday.
Last Wednesday evening, March IS,
the pupils of Bulkley's district school,
under the guidance of their teacher, Miss
Osborn, gave pleasant entertainment at
Academy hall, which was well filled with
interested spectators. Everything pass
ed off in fine style, rejecting credit on
Miss Osborn, who has been unwearied in
her efforts To make this entertainment a
success. A snug little sum Cover $20)
was netted for the school treasury. The
program:
Singing, Little busy bee, school; dialogue,
Opening speech; Welcome speech, Maggie
Daiiing; recitation, Briar Rose, Annie Baker;
Number exercise, nine pupils; concert exer-
else, Little fingers; singing, Upidee, school
ieaux. Three maids OF Lee; recitation. Faith
Janet at pall ing song. Georgia Meeker; dia-
Iogue, Enroliment; recitation, Among the an
Meeker; song, Little mothers dialogue, John
ME Dalling, George Conners; recitation,
iahIe e Mee nnnpie Horger aaogues Piavioe
dentist; tableau, Au revoir.
Arthur Hull has been in New York.
A son of James Sherwood is very ill
with pneumonia.
Mr. and Mrs d. B. Adams will spend
the Easter holidays in Bridgeport.
Zalmon Bradley has been East for cat
tie.
Cross Highway chapel is being treated
to coat of paint through the efforts of
half dozen enterprising young men of
that vicinity, Elmer Disbrow, Edward
and Leslie Brotherton, Elmer Buckley
and Erva Brotherton, who WELD the
brush to perfection, although amateurs.
SOUTHPORT,