Evening journal., 1892-03-28
A HORRIBLE SUICIDE.
John Briley Takes Poison In the
Presence of His Son.

An Iron Hin Man Ends a Drunken De-
bauchwIth DeAth-He Bsde His Friends
Goodbye and Told Them where to
Find His Body-He CHASED His Son With
Knife.
STAFF Correspondence EVENING JOURNAL.
IRON HILL, Nd, March 2s-John
Briley, an aged white man, living near
this place, committed suicide in a hor-
rible manner yesterday by taking dose
of ground glass and Rough on Rats
The dead man was about 20 years old
He was well. known to every person IN
this neighbcrhood, and was at one time
prosperous farmer Several years ago his
wife died, Since that time he has been
addicted to drink and on several occasions,
in fits of melancholia, has attempted to
take his life. The watchful care OF his
children has, however, prevented the
cons ummation OF his purpose. he has
been reported dead not less than ten
times within the last two years
For several days past be has been
drinking very heavily. His friends and
relatives noticed it and kept watchful
eye upon him.
''YoU WILL FIND MY BODY IN THE NOW. -
Yesterday morning before o'clock, he
went over to the home Of Charles
Simpers, neighboring farmer, and, after
sitting in the kitchen for some time arose
to leave In a msudlin way he bade them
goodbye and turning to George Shippers.
one of the boys, he said;
"Good bye, George l will be dead be
fore 10 o'clock. l am going to kill myself
They will Fl ID me in the hay NOV. You
ErI N m 4
shirt to bury me"
1.-The Shippers family did not attacl
much Importance to this threat, thinking
that it was only drunken twaddle. They
bade him sdieu, and he left.
PREPARING THE FATAL DOSE.
From Shippers house Mr.. Briley wen
home. Going into the kitchen he asked
for piece OF bread, saying:
81 only want d piece as big as q silver
dollar"
IF that's all you want. you dom
want any" :" ona of his children replied
he snatched piece from the plate anC
rushed into the yard and towards th'
barnyard.
His son Henry followed him Reach
ing the yard BrlleY munched the bread
took out large pocket knife and a smal
box containing the ground glass and ra
poison. Inserting the knife blade in tn
box he ate blade full after blade-f full o
the mixture.
Henry rushed forward and tried T.
knock the box Of poison frem his hand
The old man turned upon the son, said b.
would kill him ami chased him for som
distance, slashing at him with the knife
The son was to light footed. an'
escaped the irate father, who returne,
to the barnyard.
One Of the boys mounted horse AM
went post-haste TO Elkson for Dr.
Cooper.
In the meantime the poison and glss
had begun TO take effect. The childre
gathered around the old man and induce
him to return to the house They place
him in bed. He was suffering frightfu
agony when DR. Cooper arrived Tn
physician informed the children tha
there was no hope.
BEGGING FOR LIFE AGAIN.
Then when the pains grew more il
tense the suicide begged for relief an
life and expressed remorss for his sci
In this way he fingered until AS o'cloc
last evening, when he died in convu
siOns.
The deceased leaves seven children
four boys aud three girls, all grown an
several Of them married He lived wit
his son Henry, who kept the poison il
the house for the determination of rat
AS there was an attending physicia
no inquest will be held.
The remains will be inferred at tt
Head of Christiana cemetery on Wednes
day afternoon.