The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-04-11
TEE SGICIDE TREE.

! From :he Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
Burnet woods is one of the most fire.
quented parks in Cincinnati. Its beau
tiful driveways and natural forests
make it a very desirable place to spend
| the long, hot days of summer. and
almost every hour of the day some gay
ly-attired pleasure-seekers drive up the
shaded avenues or across the wide
lawns. The hills and deep ravines are
ideal spots for love scenes and it is
here the lovers come to lisp sweetly
the poems. to clasp passionately the
soft white hands and co a great many
other things that GO toward making up
a first-class courtship.
Some time ago couple that were OF
this turn of mind locked arms after
they had fumbied off the Vine street
car and ventured timidly into the
park. They tried the shades of quite
number of favored places, but none
seemed to strike their fancy until they
had crossed the deep ravine and had
nestled down at the foot of giant
beech that stands on the west slope of
the park, very near the north entrance.
Just above are several trees that inter
lock their towering branches, while
below are a mum Der of little elms that
screen from the public gaze and ges-
lures that are indispensable to a Vine
street courtship.
After that day their visits became
frequent, until at last they ended the
matter by getting married All went
lovely for month or SO, and then
rough sailing set in, as is usual in such
cases, and early separation followed.
Shortly afterward the park policeman
was surprised to see the gentleman
come into the park alone and withou,
much hesitation walk over to the old
counting place, sit down by the old
tree, and drawing a pistol from
his pocket, deliberately shoot him
self through the heart. A great
concourse of people was attracted to
the place, each endeavoring tn catch a
glimpse of the unfortunate suicides
face as the officers carried him 10 the
patrol wagon al the foot Of the hill
For long time afterward the old men
and little boys who were regular Wis
itors TO the park pointed out the place
TO strangers. until at last il became gen
orally known as the suicides tree
There have been many other suicides
in the park. and this spot seems 70 Dc
the favorite. and every visitor with
spark OF sadness in his face Is closely
watched by the officers If ne begins
edging toward this tree. Recently
reporter was passing through the park
when he heard a street gsmin call 20
his playmatcs: Oar goes er suicider.
On looking around he saw an old.
Misunderstanding fellow climbing Nd
toward the tree. while the boys began
Immediately TO scramble for a good
position to witness the act
The old gentleman carefully seated
himself, and after leaning his cane mp
against the tree began digging into
his deepspockets. At last he seemed
TO have fully made up MS mind. 50
drawing ms hand quickly from bis
pocket he lifted something toward
his face. There was q bright fash Of
FIRE and two Of the I've boys fell down
with mental fright. while the other
three staggered in dizzy circles look
ing for the streams OF blood and listen
ing for the report OF the gun
Bat - never came ~ last j, dzwned
upon the boys that ther had bees
taken IN. and the leader Of the young
b.igsncs. after showing as hands deep
IN BIS pockets and casting q loosl
aronnd Of extreme disgust. sad 70 h.
playmate Come OF. cuIli<S dey %
GuEer Is 1ist CT snssia'.7