New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-20
SUICIDE OF DIR. G. d. SCUDDER
HE WAS SUFFERING FROM OVERWORK.
A son OF THE LATE HENRY j. scUDDER-ns

=
SUCCESS IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
DR.. Charles d. Scudder, of No. | East Thirty
third-st., son OF the late Henry j. Scudder, and
son-in-aw OF ex-senator William NJ Evarts, COM
mitted suicide at his mothers home IN North
port, l.. L. yesterday morning. Dr. Scudder had
been in poor health for some time, and went TO
Northport on Monday with an attendant. IL was
his intention to stay there for several weeks
When he got Off the train, it was noticed that he
acted strangely He seemed to pay no attention
to his surroundings, but kept muttering to HIM
self and gesticulating wildly carriage was
waiting for him, into which he was quickly ush-
cred and the vehicle was driven away to the old
country mansion IL thought that a few
weeks stay at the Scuddcr homestead would be
of benefit to his health.
1t was known that DR.. Scudder was suffering
from temporary alteration of mind, said to
have been caused by overwork and study He
was greatly excited when he reached his mothers s
home, but after dinner he became quieter, and
it was thought that the change OF scene was going
to be Of great benefit to him. His medical at
tendant was with him constantly and. watched
over him until he had retired for the night. The
family did not retire until after midnight. Then
Rev. Henry T. Scuddcr, brother of DR.. Scudder.
went N the doctors room to watch him during
the night Dr. Scuddcr rested quietly until after
daylight He then became restless, and at 3 80
O'Clock he insisted getting up. His brother
tried TO persuade him not to, but the doctor broke
away. and ran out of the room On his passage
through the dining-rOom he grabbed up carving
knife. and then continued his fight out of doors
When he reached the grounds surrounding the
house he ran 10 the nearest tree. Here he stopped
and placed the handle of the knife against tho
tree, with the point just below the centre Of his
left breast. Then he wound his arms and legs
around the tree, and, using all his force, drew
himself TO IT, forcing the blade of the knife into
his heart.
DR.. Scuddcr's brother Henry, after tho doctor
had broken away from him in the house, dld
not follow him Immediately, but stopped to sum-
mon more help. He knew that he would be
powerlc-s alone TO bring his brother back lho
members Of the family were aroused by the sum
mons Led by Mr. Scuddcr, they passed OUT Of
the house, but when they reached Dr Sender
he was dying. He lay under the tree on the
grass and died without speaking. AS soon as
possible his body taken up and carried lhto
the house The news OF the suicide was learned
I'm the village by the notification given by the
family 70 the Coroner
Dr. Charles Davies Scudder was born In New
York City On September "a, 1856 lie was the
aon ~ Henry j. Scuddcr, n wcll-known lawyer,
and Louisa IT,. the daughter Of Professor Charles
Davies He received his early education at tho
Columbia Grammar School, and was graduated
from Trinity College, Hartford, in the class OF
1913. with high honors lie received his medical
education al the College of Physicians and Sur
neon,. being yalcdictorian Of his class, After
hospital course in Bellevue Hospital and at
Vienna, he began his practice in Ncw-lork. In
Apru ss3. he married Louisa Wardncr, daughter
~ OK Senator William NJ Evarts lie was con-
spltinr surrcon to the French Hospital and IN
the Iying-in Asylum; he was vcstryman OF Cal
vary Parish, and trustee of Trinity College,
Hartford
When DR. Scudder began 70 practise in tins
city eight years ago, he was associated WIN Dr'
g. H. Wvnkoop now of no. l2S MadSon-aVc,
but for several years he had lcen alone. His home
WAS At No. East Thirty-thirl--t. lie took high
rank i'm his profession, but his popularity aS "A
pbvsirian brought with il the ovcrwork whl'h
led r. the unscttling Of his reason. lie was n
member Of the County Medical Society OF the
Academy Of Medicine. and was for while wee
president Of the Clinical Society, the leading 30
cial organization of physicians in tins city. ne
WAS also an honorary member II the brluS'
Gynccological Association, TO be member OIL Whlch
il. considered a great distinction. Dr. Ncultl'r
had written a number of medical monographs ana
articles for magazines of the profession, wm'h
gained him a wide reputation, and II was que 10
,re or his articles that he Wa, honorcd DY ue
British Association DR. g. r. LOCKWOOD OF ~
20 East Thirtyffth-st.. who was Dr. ScuddcT ;
medical adviser, sad Yesterday sIVh'i"H u VIZ
tragic affair at Northpof'' - ,.or ar
Ur Scuddcr had been suffering for a year OF
80 frnm ncl1ncLolia which had developed INTO
IN acute stage and was due entirely To over
work Last spring he was iorccu 10 "a .in - liz
rroctice over TO me | advised him s.'Neral wccN-
r,', tn 90 to Windsor, VI. the home of senator
Eyart-. hoping the dry mountain air would II,
him oood About three weeks ago he returned
to this city. and while looking much better phys,
,r,lIT lc complained still of wcarincSs ana
inability to sleep. ! sent him back to Vermont
On Srtnrdav with his brother, Edward Scudlcr
, LAWYER Of this city; he returned here. 10 ~
,y,rJ'. home. 40. u East Twenty second d-St
/ met the two, aud remained with them whir
here Monday it was decided. as Dr. ScuddcI
still complaincd 10 take him 10 the family nome
,t Northport We went down on the tram Mon
dav. ami | returned TO the city later. Ihcre
WAS nothing whatever in his dclncan0r theh o'
al any other time 80 far a. ! am aware, l" III
dcatc that he would kill himself. lie was never
violent In fact. | thought he was mnch better
ON Sunday | accompanied him ana Ills pr3thrt
down tLc Ray 10 call friend on staten lSlahd'
when he seemed comparatively ch'"Hul c,
The furcraI will br held tomorrow AT Calvary
Church. Twenty y-iirsi-st. ana fourin.lNe' i"'
burial will he at Windsor. W.. on FRIDAY.