Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-12
AT REST.
Frank PomainviIle Sr. Takes His Own
Life While Temporarily Insane.

when brought about before the natural
time by human hands. This case is
particularly sad one. The deceased
had everything to live for, a large
and happy family, wealth, comfort and
beautiful surroundings. In the midst
of the blessings of a lovely home there
was nothing to mar true happiness
except disease that has been sapping
his life away for years. 1t was fever
sore located on the right leg between
the knee and hip. Three different
times did he undergo the PAIN of an
operation with but slight and only
temporary beneficial results. The last
operation, which was performed in
Milwaukee last November, gave him
temporary relief but was not effectual.
Recently he complained a great deal
and suffered much pain and incon-
venience. 1t was evident to his family
and close friends that the severe strain
was affecting his mind. Monday he
did many things to prove his loss of
mind. In the evening he went to
supper with his son Charley and failed
to recognize his own home when he
reached there and did not want to enter
it. He was persuaded by his son and
finally went in. While entering he
tainted and fell and the members of
the family thought him dead. He soon
revived and DR.. DeGrandpre and Rev.
Beyerle were sent for. On their arrival
he appeared better. While the Doctor
was preparing medicine for him, he
and Rev. Beyerle stepped into the
parlor for private consultation. Father
Beyerle noticed at once that his mind
was affected and after a few words of
consolation and encouragement advised
him to 90 to bed. He was preparing
himself for bed when he was left few
moments alone while his wife and the
doctor were talking. The discharge of
revolver in his own hand shocked his
wife and family and brought them
suddenly to the full realization that
death had entered the household. The
wife was prostrated at the scene and
her husband met immediate death by
a bullet entering the head at the right
temple discharged from So calibre
revolver. The distinctive qualities of
manly strength and human endurance
which marked the life of this man were
overtaxed and mastered by long years
OF most intense pain, by the most
powerful foe of man-dread disease,
and IN moment of mental alteration
caused by this suffering, the hand was
stronger than the will. His pain of
body and grief Of mind is at an end and
who can say but that he was justified
in taking the means he did which so
quickly and SO effectually brought relief.
"Man, that is born of woman, is of few
days and full of trouble"
Francis Xavier Pomainville was born
in Montreal, Canada At the time of
his death he was about 81 years of age.
When boy II years old he left Canada
with his parents and moved to Buffalo,
n. Y, where he was obliged to begin
work to assist his parents. He entered
dry goods store as errand boy and
ever since that day has earned his own
living. He came west aud passed
through Wood County about 25 years
ago and in company with E. X. Smith,
Clarence Warren and other twin city
residents made trip into the Rocky
Mountains prospecting for gold. They
remained two years and then returned
to Grand Rapids. On April 1st, 1866,
soon after his return from the noun
tains, he was married to Miss Caroline
Martin, of Grand Rapids, in the city of
Stevens Point. The marriage occurred
IN that city because in those primitive
days there was yet no Priest in our
village. He then entered into business
here anG, with the exception of about
two years, has cotinued ever since at
the present stand. During the first
two years he occupied another building.
Mr.. Pomainville leaves a wife and
five children, Frank X, Carrie,
Charley, George and Eddie; an aged
father and mother each 50 years old;
one brother, Mr.. Charley Pomainville,
of Chicago; and one sister, Mrs VIM.
Armstrong, of Oshkosh, to mourn his
death. The father has made his home
with his son for many years and is still
hearty and in good health. The aged
mother has resided with her daughter
in Oshkosh, for a long time a great
sufferer with rheumatism.
In the death of Mr.. Pomainville his
wife loses a most devoted husband, his
family kind and afectionate father,
| the city good and upright citizen, and
the world man who so lived in word
and deed that he will be greatly missed
by all with whom he met in business
and in social relations. By economy
and frugal habits he accumulated a large
property which is left to the family.
| Knowing that it would be necessary for
| him to undergo another severe opera
ton, he last week had his will drawn
and left all his business affairs in a
sound and healthy condition to be taken
up by his eldest son Frank Y.
| The funeral service was held this
| Thursday morning at the Catholic
Church, at $50 o'clock. Rev. Beyerle
officiated. A large attendance of friends
and neighpors turned out to pay their
last respects to man who had proven
himself good citizen. The following