The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-08
WEARY OF STRUGGLE.
Penrod Committed Suicide to
End His Troubles.
ONE or GOV. YATES VICTIMS.
Sick and Disappointed Penrod Took
His Iff-Hi. Farewell Letter
His Family Destitute.

The publication in the Post-TntelliEsncer
yesterday morning OF an item from Cen
trana concerning the supposed suicide of
a man named L. Penrod. OF South Park.
brought TO light story that will appeal
strongly 70 the hearts Of the people OF this
city. There can be little doubt that tie
young wife who sits in her little cne-story
home al South Park with a baby al her
bosom and little girl at her side and -
cents in her pocketbook. has been robbed
of a husband by his oTn volftion during
temporary insanity
J.. Penrod, whose full name was James
l. Penrod has lived with his family at
South Park since last December IN a little
house furnished free OF rent by A kind
hearted woman named Mrs. Charles Bsder-
Before. coming 10 this city Pcnrod was
policeman At Denver. Col. hut when GOV.
Waite made radical changes in the force
70 help his Populist friends, Penrod lost
his position. Then he came 10 this city
and since then has lived from hand 70
mouth. a short time ago he entered into
negotiations with Mrs. Lebeck, Of this
city. 10 purchase on tine piece Of prop
erfy she owned near Chehalis TWO weeks
ago Thursday he started for Centralia TO
look over the property. He had only 81
10 his name and so had 10 walk all the way
to the place he intended TO buy The
weather was bad and according 10 his
couraged To add TO his troubles a boil
on his back gave him great pain. June
he wrote:
Il have been disappointed. ! would not
give sI0l for the homestead. I am sick.
NV head does not feel right. / feel queer
That diary is now in his wife's posses
sion. together with the few things he took
away with him from home. -
When Penroi left home he was in goH
spirits. and told his little girl that when
they got the new place they would get
along all right He seemed TO think the
dark cloud that hung over him for months
would pass away and the sun would shine
again into his life. Nothing was heard
from him until Thursday afternoon, when
Mr. Ward, the postmaster at South Park.
received registered letter. addressed 10
Mrs Jennie L. Penrod. The letter was de-
livered. and this in substance was what
the poor woman read.
'Centralia June 4. lS95.-My Darling
Wife and Children: The first day after
leaving home walked nearly TO Tacoma.
and slept in a shack. Then I walked on
in the rain, and finally reached Centralia.
After several days search l found the
trail that led TO the claim. / would not
give 500 for il. This is the most discour-
aging country was ever in | have sold
some of the things for nearly nothing, as
/ was out of money. / have sent the re-
mainder to you. Give my children good
education and my boy my big revolver.
Keep the children from sectarian schools.
You are better without me. / don't know
as / am writing this right, for | have a
queer feeling in my head That is all /
can write now. The folks where | have
been staying viii think l am at home with
my family tonight. l have tried TO appear
cheerful but alas, no home for me now.
JAMES L. PENKOD."
Mrs Penrod tried 10 appear brave, but
the shock nearly bereft her OF her senses.
Her little daughter Alice looked up ana
said with childish simplicity, How could
papa do such a thing. when he knew he
and mamma could get along better to-
gether than she alone
The same evening George Bridestein, a
friend OF the family. brought out from the
city a package that came by express. II
contained Mr. Penrod's diary. his revolver,
police badge and some underclothes he
had taken away.
When me good nelghbors heard OF the
sad story yesterday morning they did
all I'm their power 10 comfort the sorrow
stricken woman. Every one who knew
the Panrods knew that the family rela-
tons had always been of the most fclici-
tous character. and the only explanation
OF the affair was that the man had
broken down and given up the struggle
Mrs Penrod is a refined woman and
brave but she now finds herself in desti-
tute circums tances. with two children on
her hands.
James l.. Penrod was born In Vern.ll-
ion county. Ill. about thirty years ago
He learned the ,rade Of a carpenter. He
lived In Kineman. Kan. several years
and there married Miss Jennie Trip
April 81 ISL They moved 10 Denver in
1884. and Mr. Penrod was on the police
force nearly a year. lie was feet 10
inches tall weighed l53 pounds had au-
burr. hair. a sandy mustache, hlue-gray
eyes. one lower tooth gone and scar
about TWO inches long on the right shout
der-blade lie was dressed in a brown
coat and vest. blue oyeralls, and colored
checked shirt. He leaves TWO children.
Alice. a little girI in short dresses. and
Albert. a baby.
In talking with a PoSt-intellEence
reporter last night. Mrs. Penrod said the
only explanation she could give was that
he- husband had taken his life during a
period Of temporary Insanity. There had
been no trouble in ths family. a state
Tnent 10 which the neishhors bear Wit
ness. and ne went away from home hope
ful fer the future In spite OF the hard
49,