The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-03
MR.. KEITH's DEATH.

The body of Edison Keith, whose de-
plorable suicide we announced in the
last issue of The UNIvERsALIsT, was re-
covered from the lake on Wednesday,
8 ptember %, at about 2 o'clock in the
afternoon. Early on Monday morning
Mr.. Keith was seen by two workmen on
the Lake Front near Thirteenth street,
hurrying along 10 an excited condition.
Hs was stopped as it was feared he was
bent on elf-destruction, but eluding
pursuit, amid the net work of tracks
and cars of the Illinois Central Railroad,
he finally accomplished his purpose and
plunged into the lake from near the end
Of the pier at Weldon slip. His body
was found not far removed from the
spot where he sought his death. partly
embedded in the sand thrown over by
the disturbed waters during the heavy
sea of Monday and Tuesday. When the
graphing irons in the hands of the
searchers brought the body to the sur
face it was at once recognized as that
OF the missing man.
Mr.. Keith disappeared from his home
about o'clock on Monday morning
He had been ill during the night but
had declined medical assistance. While
t le family and friends OF the dead mer-
chant had recently grown apprehensive
regarding his physical condition. the
discovery Of his disappearance came
with paralyzing suddenness. In the
light of it it was then recalled that Mr..
Keith had for some days been so pecu
liarly depressed as to suggest mental
troubles. His recent condition was re-
C illed. and it was found that there was
no ground to doubt but what temporary
insanity had followed his long months
of sleeplessness and aggravated dyspep-
sia, and that the victim had found re.
lief in the lake.
1t was feared from the first that Mr..
Keith might have ended his life, and as
he lived opposite the lake on Prairie
avenue, opposite Nineteenth street, the
officers began their search at Sixteenth
street. going south. Monday and Tues
day this search was continued without
success.
Had the detectives begun their search
three blocks further north they would
have found traces of the missing man
Monday morning, when they began
work. AS it was it was not until Tues
day morning that information came to
Elbridge G. Keith from another source
that brown derby hat and dark clay
worsted coat had been found near the
breakwater at the mouth Of the Weldon
slip early Monday morning. From the
description ElDridge G. Keith's worst
fears were aroused. Within ten minutes
he was at the place, had examined the
clothing, pronounced the coat and hat
to be those OF his brother Edison Keith,
and messages were Immediately sent to
summon assistance in dragging the lake.
The search was continued until We'd
nssday afternoon, when the body was
discovered as above.
The conditions leading to Mr.. Keith's
act developed. some of them, ten years
ago. when he began to suffer with in
somnia and dyspepsia. Two years ago
these troubles had become so aggravated
that Mr.. Keith went to Californi4 for
the benefit of his health 1t did not i'm
prove there. however, but after his re-
turn the dyspepsia was overcome to a
csrtain degree.
But as time went on it returned with
all its old vigor and Mr.. Keith suffered |
intensely FROM it. On Sunday he left
the dinner table, saying he was unable
to eat and complaining of his liver. He
grew more and more depressed during
the day, and bis sufferings increased,
it is supposed. during the long hours of
the night to the point of irresponsibility