The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-29
BLYTH'S BODY FOUND.
Squak Slough Suicide Floating
Among Driftwood.
HE TWICE TRIED DROWNING.
Joseph c. Blyth's BODY Found by His
Nsphew-Re Was Rendered Insane
By . Wound on the Head.

The body o. Joseph c. B,yih. who dis
appeared from his brothers house on
Sauak slough, near Bo:heii, week ago
las. Friday. was recovered yesterday
morning. All the circumstances con-
nected with the case show that Blyth
committed suicide while temporarily IN
sane. and q repor: 10 that effect has been
made by Deputy Coroner Frank Carroll.
Joseph c. Blythe came TO the Sound
thirty-one years ago and worked as . ship
carpenter. Three and a half years ago be
fell on his head at Port Biake.ey and,
while the wound healed, his mind had be-
come unbaianced. At times he would be
perfectly sane. but then again he would
imagine he was going to lose his property
On account of grade taxes. He would be-
come dependent and his brother had to
keep watch on him. Last June. by an
order Of the court he was sent to the asy-
lum at Steiiacoom, and his brother. J. r.
Biyth, appointed guardian. After three
months treatment he was dismissed and
taken to his brothers house on Sauak
slough.
Careful watch was kept over him and
nothing unusual occurred until u month
ago. when he walked down to the pier,
took of his slippers and jumped into the
water. He was bobbing up and down
when his brothers wife found him and
effected q rescue. after endangering her
own life. The water was so cold that he
came to the conclusion that it was not a
good way to kill himself and gave no
further trouble until his final disappear.
ance.
On that morning his brother went over
to Botheil and he did not miss him until
about ii O'Clock, when he commenced to
make inquiries. On learning where his
brother was. he showed some surprise and
then went out TO the yard. Mrs. Biyth
walked out into the yard and while
she was fixing some flowers Blyth
ran into the house, out through the front
door and was missing when Mrs. Blyth
went in. She called the hired men and a
search was commenced. No trace of him
was found along the waters edge. and this
time he did not leave his slippers on the
pier to guide the searchers. What had
become of him was mystery, but the pos
sibility that he might be wandering in the
woods presented itself to the brother, and
party Of twenty hunted all night. The
next day the slough was dragged and ex-
piosives used, but to no purpose.
Yesterday morning. hoHever, Joseph B.
Story. nephew Of the missing man. took
a boat and was rowing down the slough
when be noticed an unpleasant smell. By
following the scent he came across the
body Of his uncle, floating among the
driftwOOd in about ten feet of water, 500 or
400 yards below the house. A rope was
thrown around the body and it was towed
to shore. after which word was sent to
Coroner Horton. Deputy Frank Carroll,
accompanied by l.. w. Bonney, went to
the scene on the steamer Tolo and brought
the body back to the city. arriving abou. 5
O'Clock. Coroner Horton received his
deputy's report and decided that it was q
plain case Of suicide. The body was Iad
in ordinary clothes. without coat, and in
one pocket was caseknifc.
Joseph {. Blyth was born in Newcastle
on Tyne. England. in 1884. He learned
the ship carpenters trade, and in 1862
came to Victoria with his brother. J.
X. Blyth. The following year he came
to Port Madison and commenced working
for }. Meigs. He worked there about ten
years and then went to Port Blakeley.
where he found employment in Halls ship
yard. He attended strictly to business
and put his earnings into Seattle property,
so that when real estate advanced he
found himself wealthy. Three and a half
years ago he fell from vessel, receiving
the injury which unbalanced his mind
and eventually led to his death. He
was bachelor and leaves one brother, J.
X. Blyth. and two sisters, Mrs. Frances f.
Ardus and Mrs. Jane Luckily, both living
in Newcastle, England. The deceased's
property consists of lots on West street.
several in LAWYERS addition and others
scattered about the city. He also owned
eighty acres of land near BotheIl.
The funeral services will be held tomor-
row at III o'clock. at Bonney Il Stewards
chapel, Rev. John F. Damon officiating.
The interment will be in Lake View
cemetery.