Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-11-13

by Leaptng From & Railroad br1dRes
 the Severe Strain Too Hard on Them.
 An Interesting Subject.
 The recent suicide of the young Brook lyn girl who failed of promotion at the New York Art league brings to mind the fact that self destruction is far more common among young women than most persons suspect. If permitted the women s colleges could furnish much data on the subject. That they are not permitted to do so is very natural The college authorities, as we'll as those more intimately concerned, are naturally anx- ious to keep such occurrences just as quiet as possible.
 There is a certain woman's college where the number of suicides during the past ten years has been surprising. The causes for the suicides are various. Gen erally there is some hereditary taint that overwork and high pressure develop to a fatal degree. Again. the overwork and high pressure are in themselves sufficient to unbalance mind. Sheer homesick- ness has been known to disturb the men, tai balance. Woman s college life affords many opportunities for becoming nor bid or "blue," as the students term it, and this is always fruitful cause for suicide.
 The last case of suicide at the institu- tion referred to was directly traced to hereditary taint, an aunt of the girl hay ing been for many years an inmate of lunatie asylum. This, however, didn't lessen the horror of the occurrence, which in every detail was shocking. Another case at the same college had its rise wholly in oyerwork. Not satisfied with these and other like cases, this college also boasts a suicide story that is vouch- ed for as true, but is rarely credited by a student after her freshman year.
 It tells how, long ago in the institu- tion IS early days, three students formed suicide club. Whether MT. Stevenson s taking narrative melted them to the thing is not known, but the special means to the desired end determined upon was a jump from neighboring high railroad bridge. One girl was to take the initiatory leap; the others were to follow suit ultimately, turns being decided by lot. In due time the college was shocked by the death of the first girl in the manner prescribed. A few days later the second girl made the fatal leap, and then the third. So goes the story It is much prized tradition of the college, and many homesick little freshman has lain awake at night shiv- ering at the mere thought of it all. It is said that any one passing the railroad bridge at night may hear the shrieks that the girls are supposed to have ut tered as they leaped.
 A certain normal college is responsi- ble for large number of suicides. It also has the honor of having sent many young women to the lunatic aslyums. Temporary alteration is as common 8 complaint at this institution as measles and whooping cough are elsewhere. Girls become unbalanced by the severe strain put upon them and are found wandering about the country in sadly unsettled condition. Of course all such testimony need not discourage faith in the value of higher education for Wom- en. It does, however, declare in favor of both institutions and individuals calling halt as regards many of the present ways and means of mental discipline.
 Statistics are not at hand to show that there are more cases of suicide at wom- en's colleges than at mems, but it may be taken for granted that such is the case. As class women are more morbid than men. If they are at all tinged with melancholy, it is of permeating sort that affects them vitally and deeply. Men may be made blue easily, but it is generally just for the time being, and they recover as easily. But women take everything more seriously than men from Easter bonnets to their own lives. New York Evening Sun.