The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-28
AN OLD CONDUCTORS SUICIDE.
John c. Smith Becomes Despondent and
Hangs Himself.

John c. Smith. aged fifty-six years, re-
siding at No. 80 East South street, COM
United suicide some time Tuesday night by
hanging himself to a joist in the cellar.
Smith was for years a conductor on the
Big Four railroad, and was one of the best
known railroaders in this part OF the coun-
try. He was Familiarity known as "Uncle
Johnny" Smith had two sons. One OF the
sons, Frank Smith, Is married, and Smith
and his other son resided with Frank, the
latter's wife keeping house for the three
men. Two years ago Smiths wife died. and
IL was at that time that he went to live
with his son Frank. For the last four
months Smith had appeared to brood over
the death OF his wife. She was buried at
Crown Hill Cemetery, and he spent the
greater part OF the time at her grave. He
would usually return to his home late in
the evening, and would always appear to
be in gloomy spirits. Tuesday afternoon
he went, as usual, to the cemetery, and
did not return until late in the evening
His sons think it was about o'clock. The
unmarried son was out when his father
came home. but returned about 10 o'clock
He slept in the same room with his father,
and going into the bedroom to retire he
saw that mis- father not in the room.
he went to bed without learning where the
latter was, he had premonition that
something was wrong. The family rose ear
~ yesterday morning, and preparations
We're made for breakfast. Mrs. Frank
Smith went into the cellar to get some
butter, and she was Mortified to see her
father-in-iaw hanging from a jOist. His
eyes were half open and had CLASSY APP
pearance. His mouth was open and his
tongue was half protruding. She saw at
to her husband and his brother and told
them what she mad seen. They ran to the
cellar and found all as she had stated.
They were OF the opinion that the body
ought not to be cut down until the arrival
of Coroner Beck. and so, having summoned
him, they awaited his arrival. Coroner
Beck came soon afterwards and cut the
Smith had been dead for ten hours. From
the situation in the cellar IL appeared that
Smith had stood on a box, tied the rope
to the joist, then around his neck, kicked
the box away and fallen 10 his death.
Smith, in company with several relatives.
including his mother, came to this country
from England in 1894. He was born in
railroad a water boy, but he was am
bilious and rose rapidly. After serving as
freight conductor on several roads he ac-
cepted a position as passenger conductor
on the Big Four. and held that position
until about three months ago, when he was
discharged with a number OF other conduc-
tors. This added to his dependency. A
number of the discharged men were offered
and accepted positions as freight conduc-
tors. smith was offered like position,
but he thought he was too old for this
kind OF work. and so declined the place. He
was an honorary member OF the Hanselman
Commandery OF the Knights Templars Of
Cincinnati was a member in good stand
ing OF the order OF Railway Conductors
and belonged to the Passenger and Freight
Conductors Mutual Benefit Association of
Chicago The funeral services will be
hGld a AZ home