St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-26
HUNG IN A RED OAK
Charles Swanson, a Center
vile Farmer, Commits
Suicide Here.
FOUND HANGING In A TREE
Near the Gateway Leading to
the j. j. Hill Stock
Farm.
FOUND HANGING In A TREE
MIND EVIDENTLY Affected
First Attempted to End His
Life by Cutting His
Wrist.

Charles swanson, a farmer aSed
sixty years, living at Centerville,
Washington county, committed sui
eide in this city yesterday by hang
ing. He chose a peculiar spot for
the deed, selecting giant red-oak
tree near the gateway leading to the
farm of James ]. Hill, and but
short distance off Rice street. The
body was discovered at o'clock yes
terday afternoon by George and
Matthew Gisch, two little boys. At
distance their attention was at
tracted by some dark object swing
ing from the tree, and moved by
every breeze. After investigating,
the boys were much frightened. The
boys reported their discovery to
farmer named Thompson, who at
once telegraphed the coroner.
Old man Swanson's suicide was
deliberate, although no motive can
be ascribed for the deed, except that
he was temporarily insane. He left
his family, comprising a wife and
three adult children, early last Fri
day, and came direct to st. Paul.
Later in the day he wandered out
beyond the big Hill farm, intent on
visiting farmer acquaintance
named Peterson. Before making the
journey the old man, who was an
parently, suffering from illness-or
at least imagined he was-had
CONSULTED A PHYSICIAN.
Dr. Eric M. Lundholm, of 1923 East
Seventh street, prescribed for him.
He must have been suffering from
complication of diseases for he was
given prescription which required
three bottles to hold it. The prescrip-
ton was filled at Bodin's pharmacy.
3z9 East Seventh street. The three
bottles bearing Bodins label were con-
splcuous among the effects found in
the old mans pockets as he dangled
from the red-oak tree.
When Farmer Swanson reached Pet
erson's he did not make his presence
known. Instead, he repaired to the
barn, where he passed the night. Here
ne made his first attempt at self
destruction. He used, presumably. a
keen-edged pocket knife, with which
he siashed his left wrist The wound
was severe and bled profuseIy. Swan
son was found the next morning living
In the cowshed. He had lost a great
deal of blood, and was barely con-
sclous. Upon being revived. he ex
planned his wound by alleging that the
night previous two men had assaulted
MN one OF whom cut. him with a
khlte. But his story was not believed,
ana on Saturday and Sunday he was
watched carefully by his. friends, the
Petersons.
Yesterday morning he expressed a
desire to return to- his family. His
friends encouraged the idea. and of
Iered 10 drive him to nearby sta
tlon on the Duluth road, where he
could take train to Centervilie But
the Old man was obstinate, and de-
clared that he would walk. He left
Feterson,s farm early In the morning.
anu was never again seen alive.
considerable ingenuity was exer-
clsed by the old farmer in taking his
lie. presumably before leaving
Feterson's he had secured a piece of
stout rope, which he had secured
ABOUT his person. In walking city,
wards the big red oak presented an ex-
celient scaffold for a swing into eter
nifty. To reach the outstretched limb
Swanson utilized a board less than two
feet in length, by which he assembled
the tree. He tied the rope close to the
trunk, and descending carefully, pre-
pared slip moose. He then spread
ms fur coat on the ground, threw his
nat down with it, again used the board
as ladder to elevate him from the
ground. Then adjusting the moose
HE SWUNG OFF
and his body hung dangling in mid
air
When Coroner Whitcomb arrived I'D
on the scene, the stiffened frame of
the old farmer was still SUSPENDED
from the giant oak Partly slpport-
ing the chilled remains, the coroner
severed the fatal rope The BODY was
hastily carried to Willwersheid's nm
dertaking rooms, Az st. Peter street
A $40 bill and some loose silver were
found on the remains, together with
the various bottles of medicine and
large jack knife. There will be no in
quest.