The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-01-14
suic,as of David D. Bonsack.


On Saturday morning last the lifeless body
of David D. Bonsack was found suspended
BY the neck by rope from the limb of a
cherry tree near the residence of his son
Charles, near this city, and about half mile
from his own residence. He had taken his
own life. No note or letter was left and what
impelled him to self destruction is left alone
to conjecture.
A year ago the deceased held high posi-
ton in this community as a business man,
Christian and citizen. On the 10Th of March
last he left home, as he said, to adjust some
church matters at Woodberry. He was to
have returned in the evening, but he did not
come. The wife of neighbor left home the
same day, and rumors of an elopement be-
came rife. and few days later generally be-
lieved. In time both parties returned, and
Mr.. Bonsack stoutly denied that he and the
woman were together. The Dunkard Church,
in which he was minister Of high standing,
1 deposed him from the ministry. Later, after
investigating his conduct while away the
authorities expelled him from the church.
During his absence OF ten or twelve days
attachments aggregating about $4,000 were
laid againt him. Upon his return he straight
| ened out his financial matters pretty well,
and went on to complete dwelling which he
had commenced before he went away, and
moved into it this fall. But those who init
mately knew Mr.. Bonsack observed that his
usual cheerfulness was gone and ne seemed
troubled. They did not believe he contem-
plated self destruction, but rather that he
might move to some other place, away from
the scenes of his troubles, and begin life anew.
! On the night before Mr.. Bonsack committed
suicide he left home about 8 O'Clock, saying
he was going over to Lee Blacks. Not com
ing home by II O'Clock his son Charles, with
a companion, went over to Mr.. Blacks after
him. He had not been there, and Mr.. Black
went wi h them in further search. After
going to the houses of several neighbors with
out finding traces of him they gave up the
search His body was found by his son the
next morning. In the woods near the tree
he selected for his fatal jump, were numer-
Gus footprints, and it was supposed he wan
dered around for some time before he de-
stroyed himself His feet were nearly touch
ing the ground wien found, and the feet and
lower limbs were still warm. His arms and
body were cold and he had evidently been dead
for some time. No inquest was held, the
authorities deeming one unnecessary.
His funeral took place at Meadow Branch
Church on Monday afternoon, and there was
a very large attendance, notwithstanding the
snowstorm. Elder William 81. Franklin, of
Sans Creek, opened the services. Thomas
j. Kolb, of Double Pipe Creek, preached the
sermon, and Jeremiah Brown, Of New Wind
sor, closed the services. Other elders pres
ent were Ephraim w. Stoner, Union Bridge;
John Flohr, Fountain Dale; Greenbury Ecker,
Uniontown; Joel Roep, New Windsor; Joseph
Price, Black Rock; Uriah Bixler and Eman,
uel Babylon, Westminster. The pall-bearers
were John Diffenbaugh, Levi Black, John
Cassell, Nelson Gilbert, John Gait, William
Morelock, George W. Hull and Leander Glad
hill.
Mr. Bonsack was corporal in Co. c., 9Th
Nd. Regiment during the war. He was not
member of Burns Post, this city, but the
Post thoughtit proper to appoint committee
to attend the funeral, and Commander Nc
KelIip appointed the following: Chas. Mer-
riman, LIST Md. Cavalry; James W Hook and
Upton Warner, of Company Al and Peter
Little and Bphraim Haihey, of Co. c.