The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-08-18
RELIGION AND GRIPPE
DRIVE JOSEPH LAcocK INSANE AND HE
SUICIDES IN JAIL
While Awaiting to be Taken to Toledo
Broke His Neck with n Bed ohsin--A
Son Of a waynesburg Editor.

Son OF Waynesburg Euitor'
Joseph Lacock, an unfortunate young
man of unsouDd reason, from Waynes-
burg, suicided in the county jail at an
early hour this morning. He was twenty
eight years of age, unmarried, and the
son Of Editor John W. Lacock of the
Waynesburg Enterprise. Last spring he
had severe attack of the grippe which
weakened bis mental faculties. This with
brooding upon religious delusions made
him completely insane. He had conceived
the idea that he had sinned away his day
OF grace, that at the time OF the maj
reckoning his offenses would be found to
be objectionable and he would be forever
doomed. This preyed upon his weakened
mind and he began q short time ago 10
have a mania for attempting TO Gus his
throat and on several occasions tried TO
throw himself in front OF moving trains.
That he might be taken care of properly
he was brought TO Ibe city tuesday by the
sheriff and after being examined by Judge
Fawcett waB pronounced iDsane and the
proper papers made out for his removal
to the asy ,um at Toledo. lie was placed
in the jail Tuesday evening and the
sheriff expected to take him to Toledo
this morning.
In one of his melancholy moods, how
ever the young man ingeniously devised
a plan of escape and in the morning he
was dead. He closed his career by hang
ing and the method was very unique
and at the same time sure and successful
one.
The beds in the jail cells are fastened to
the side of the cells on hinges and swing
up against the wall like draw bridge. A
chain about three feet long supports the
structure on either end. Lacock lifted his
bed up so that the chain was slack, then
formed a loop and thrust his head through
This being accomplished he let go OF The
bed and its weight drew the chain tight,
closed in the loop and broke his neck.
He was discovered about 6 O'Clock tllis
morning by Turnkey Reigler but he was
apparently leaning up against the bed
and the turnkey did not disturb him.
A few minutes later John Oro, one of
the prisoners who gathers up
the Tin cups in the morning to
get coffee, went into the cell
To get Lscock's cup. He spoke to the
man and told him to get up, at the same
time taking hold OF his arm and shaking
him. He found she arm still and then
noticed that he was dead and that he had
hung himself
Iu his testimony before the coroner this
morning Otto said that he had not gone to
bed until nearly midnight but had sat in
the hallway, so 1t is probable that the sui
eide took place between that time and
o'clock this morning or else he would have
heard something of it. Otto, who is given
more freedom than most of the prisoners,
also stated that last evening the young
nan came to him and said: dad, know
now what they are after and If had
Slown il before At this point he
topped and tears filled his eyes as he
:Jntlnued, II never was in PRISON.
The coroner held the inquest in the Jail
At $3.50 o'clock this morning and the re-
mains were removed to Shillings under
taking rooms TO be prepared for burial.
Deceased was bright young man before
his recent stiliction and he worked as a
printer in his fathers office. His father
has been notified of the sad circumstances
of his death and he will probably be up
today to take charge of the remains and
take them home for burial.