The record-union., 1896-09-12
SUICIDE OF |. B. <. CHURCH.
Sick and DeSpOndent He Took His Own
Life.
The Melancholy Act Took Place
in Oneida County.
New York.

A few years ago one of the most wide
ly known men in this county was /. b.
X. Church, who for many years was a
member of the firm of Church & Jones,
the Well-known musicians. For many
years he and his partner had travelled
not only over this county, but through
this portion Of the State. The name OIL
the firm was later changed to Church.
Jones & Beebe, and afterwards Mr..
| Church retired, going back East to live
some years ago.
A clipping from paper printed al
Oneida County, New York, tells the sad
story of how he died, suffering and
alone. The clipping says:
Give me a decent burial near my
mothers grave is all I ask" What a
tinge of sadness and despair is signified
in these few words! The above is a
sentence from a letter written by L.
B. K. Church, who committed suicide
in Vernon Center early Tuesday morn
ing to his friend, S. S. Judson Of
Vernon. Mr.. Church's tragic ending
has a melancholy significance, full Of
misery and suffering. His death pro-
duced a great shock In Vernon Center
and surrounding country, where he
was well and favorably known. He
was 81 years old, and son Of the late
Samuel II. Church. Deceased had been
married twice.
About six weeks ago he was taken
sick and has since complained Of his
great sufferings. He refused to consult
medical advice, saying that he had
nothing to live for, no wife, nor chill
dren, nor kindred for whom he cared,
and that he was the last Of a once
happy family. His only companions
were his faithful dog Mac and his
pet horses robin" and Marvin"
With these it might be said he lived
and died. When in their company he
seemed happy for time. but after
while the melancholy feeling would re-
turn. He tenderly cherished the MEM
ory Of his mother, and often he spoke
Of her feelingly.
Though apparently enduring great
torture Of body and mind Mr.. Church
attended to his duties in the usual man
ner. Early last Tuesday morning, how
ever, Charles Collins, who had lived
near by. who had of late been doing the
chores and taking care OF the place,
upon entering the barn was horrified to
find the body of his employer hanging
by the neck from q rope which was at
tached to a beam above. There was a
bullet hole in his head and appearances
indicated that the suicide had stood
upon the box with the moose around his
neck, shot himself and dropped off the
box In order to make his work doubly
sure. Life was extinct and Mr.. Collins
| aroused the neighbors and notified Cor
oner Lewis Of Vernon.
Pinned to the vest Of the dead man
was a letter besmeared with the life
nf ho "a c11frH6o and
which read as follows:
'T write these few lines to show cause
for taking my own life. I am sick and
suffer for the comforts of life. / am
all alone. and all that Is left of a once
happy family. I have no one that
is dependent upon my exertion for q
living. am sick and In fearful misery
Especially nights). I have thought my
self dying every night for the past few
weeks (and all alone). 1 am all alone in
my house, not a neighbor to take the
trouble to call or even inquire as to my
health or suffering.
'I find have lived long enough, and
I am about to drop out of this world
Of misery. Oh, my poor head; how 1t
does throb; am suffering very badly;
If am doing wrong by taking my own
life pray God to forgive me; I cannot
live and suffer as I do.
Goodbye. I. B. X. CHURCH"
Mr.. Church was a generous, free
hearted man, but sensitive in his ma
ture. He loved society and life, but his
illness and the fact Of his living alone.
| had caused him to grow tired Of life
His death has caused widespread sor-
row. especially among his neighbors,
with whom he had always lived in
peace.
The Historic Old Fort.
"Hagper's Weekly Of September 9th