The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-01-03
WHY WOMEN SUICIDE
SELF DESTRUCTION ONTHE INCREASE
IN COLLEGES FOR GIRLS.

A womnn's College Suicide Club-Death
by Leapins From n Railroad Bridge.
the Severe Strain 700 Hard on Them.
An Interesting Subject.
The recent suicide Of the young Brook
Ign girl who failed of promotion ut the
New York Art league brings to mind
the fact that self destruction is far more
common among young ONE than
most persons suspect. If permitted the
women's colleges could furnish much
data Oh the subject. That they are not
permitted to do SC 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
orally there is some hereditary faint thai
overwork and high pressure develop to
a fatal degree. Again, the overwork and
high pressure are in themselves sufficient
to unbalance a 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 a fruitful cause for
suicide.
The last case Of suicide at the institu-
ton referred to was directly traced to
hereditary faint, ar aun Of the girl hav-
ing been for many years an inmate of a
lunatic asylum. This, however, didn't
lessen the horror of the occurrence, which
in every detail was shocking. Another
case at the same college had it's 1ise
wholly in overwork. 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.
1t tells how, long ago in the institu-
tons early days, three students formed
asuicide club. Whether Mr.. ~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 a 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 prescribed. A few
days later the second girl made the fatal
leap, and then the third. So goes the
story. 1t is a much priced tradition of
the college, and many a homesick little
freshman has lain awake at night shiv-
ering ct the mere thought of it all. 1t 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
A certain normal college rs response.
BILE for a large number of suicides. 1t
also has the honor Of having sent many
young ome to the lunatic aslyums.
Temporary alteration is as common a
complaint at this institution as measles
and %whooping cough are elsewhere.
Girls become unbalanced by the severe
strain put upon them and are found
u lux uDOut III SOuulIy III a bduly
unsettled condition. OF course all such
testimony need not discourage faith in
the value of higher education for wom-
en-. 1t does, however, declare in favor OF
both institutions and individuals calling
a 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-
EMS colleges than at mems, but it may
be taken for granted that such is the case.
As a class women are more morbid than
men. If they are at all tinged with
melancholy, it is Of a ~permeating sort
that affects them vitality and deeply.
Men may be made blue easily, but it is
generally just for the time being, and
they cov as easily. But women take
everything more seriously than NEIL
from Easter bonnets to their own lives.
New York Evening Sun.