Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1894-10-27

The city was thrown into furor of
excitement Thursday morning by the
terrible news that Prof. r. Wylie Mel
lette had committed suicide. A sum-
mary of such facts as could be OBJ
tanned are as follows:
Mr.. Mellette boarded at Mr.. A. G.
Young's residence and roomed with
Bert Young. During the night Wylie
was out of bed at least twice before he
went out to take his life. He dis
turbed his bed fellow, who thought he
was sick, and when he came in the
last time he went to bed with his pan
falcons and stockings on. Bert saw
that Wylie was trembling as if cold
and told him to get up close to him
and get warm, at the same time TAX
ing hold of his hand. Bert then fell
asleep and Wylie again arose and went
out. The family did not get up as
early as usual, having been out late.
Mr.. Young went to the clubhouse
about 6:45 a. M, and found that some
thing held the door so that he could
not open it more than two inches.
Seeing blood on the floor he ran to the
house and called his son, then went to
the barn and secured the assistance of
his hired man, Mr.. Garland, and they
crowded the door open and found the
unfortunate young man on his left
side, lying upon the floor, just gasping
his last; while his blood was still flow
ing. He had cut cash in his throat
b inches long, severing the jugular
vein and larynX. His razor and case
lay on the floor beside him. The body
was removed to the house and DR.. A.
w. Hyde was Immediately called, who
stated that the deed had not been
committed over five minutes before
the discovery was made.
In an interview Bert Young stated
that Wylie had been as cheerful as
usual during the evening, and said
nothing which would lead anyone to
think that he was not in usual good
health. Bert had shaved himself
Wednesday evening and saw Wylie's
razor on the shelf along side of his.
The family were all away from home
during the evening excepting Miss
Hattie Young, and Miss Young states
that Wylie was studying and drawing
pictures. Once as she passed by the
table he attracted her attention to
the sketch he had made, saying "that
is horrible looking face; it looks like
jack-O lantern, don't it?" and
laughed about it.
In conversation with some of the
faculty at the college, who worked
near Mr.. Mellette, they stated that
for some days he has appeared strange
In his aCtions-Seemed mOTOse and
lost and would stand looking down or
steadily at one object, and at other
times would be irritable, as if in a
passion - something very unusual.
Marcus Johnson said he cannot help
thinking that Wylie was planning all
day Wednesday to find an opportunity
to commit the deed, though he did
not think seriously Of his action at
the time,
Some Of the boys went into the shop
after school hours to look for some
thing and were surprised to find
Wylie in there all alone, and when
they came In he seemed to be
trying to hide something under an
old vest which lay on the work bench.
Putting all these things together
gives evidence that he must have been
laboring under a burden of some sort
for some days. Just what caused his
mind TO be deranged (for such must
have been the case) is not known and
perhaps will always remain enshrouded
in mystery, as up to the present time
nothing has been found that would
indicate any cause for his committing
the rash act. He left nothing behind
to excuse himself-no word of fare
well to parents or brothers.
A telegram was at once sent to DR..
Finnerud of Watertown to break the
news to the family. A responsive mes
sage was received stating that Ex-
Gov. Mellette was in Missouri, one
brother at Vermillion attending the
university, one at Redfield attending
college, and one at Sioux Falls, while
Mrs. Mellette is at home where she