Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1894-04-12
THE SUICIDE TREE.
Cincinnati Has Giant Beech of Dark ana
Mysterious Rcputc.

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Burnct woods is one of the most fire.
quehted parks Id Cincinnati Its beau
tiful driveways and natural forests
make it 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 do a great many
other things that go toward making UP
a first-class courtship,
Some time ago n couple that were OF
this turn of mind locked arms after
they had fumbled off the Vine street
ear 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 number of little elms that
screen from the public gaze and ges-
lures that are indispensable TO II 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 without
much hesitation walk over to the old
counting place, sit down by the old
tree, and drawing pistol from
l.is pocket, deliberately shoot him
self through the heart. A grea,
concourse of people was attracted tc
the place, each endeavoring to catch n
glimpse of the unfortunate suicides
face as the officers carried him to the
patrol wagon at the foot of the hill
For long time aftcrward the old men
and little boys who were regular Wis
itors to the park pointed out the place
to strangers, until at last it became gen
orally known as the suicides tree.
There have been many other suicides
in the park, and this spot seems to bt
the favorite, and every visitor with {
spark of sadness in his face is closely
watched by the officers If he begins
edging toward this tree. Recently ;
reporter was passing through the parl
when he heard street gamin call tt
his playmates: "Dar goes er suicider.
On looking around he saw an old
Misunderstanding fellow climbing III
toward the tree, while the boys begai
Immediately to scramble for goot
position to witness the act.
The old gentleman carefully seated
himself, and after leaning his cane nj
against the tree began digging int
his deer. pockets. At last he seemed
to have fully made up his mind, s.
drawing his hand quickly from hi
pocket, he lifted something towar'
his face. There was bright flash o
fire and two of the five boys fell dow
with mental fright, while the othe
three staggered in dizzy circles, look
ingfor the streams of blood and listen
ing for the report of the gun.
But it never came. At last it dawne
upon the boys that they had bee
taken in, and the leader of the youn
brigands, after showing his hands dee
!. in his pockets and casting loo
around of extreme disgust, said to hi
playmates: Come on, cullies; der oil
duffer is jist err smokin'. ."--Cincinnat
Commercial Gazette.