The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-16
SUICIDE OF A STUDENT.
Dependency anu OverStudy Causes
Harry Brooks to shoot Himself.

NEW YORK, Jan. 15.-Desponds snt be-
cause he thought he did not excel in his
studies as he did in athletics. Harry T.
Brooks, the stepson of George Murray
Brooks, a lawyer. took his life by shooting
himself in the head. Harry was eighteen
years old and a member of the freshman
class of the New York University. He lived
with the family at 305 West Eighty-second
street in the finely appointed house that mis-
stepfathers wealth made possible. For, all
though he was the of Mrs. Brooks by
her first husband, Harry had taken the
name of his stepfa ather. The intimacy be-
tween the two was close.
The boys room was filled with the things
that boys love-footballs, tennis bats, fish
ing rods foils and masks and boxing gloves
A revolver, too, was one Of Harrys pos
sessions 32-calibre weapon that had seen
service on Fourth of July.
For several years young Brooks attended
Hamilton Institute, which is located on
West Eighty-frst street. He was graduated
from there with honors last June. First in
all sports of his fellows, Harry was also
prominent in his classes, and in oratory was
so proficient that he took first prize at the
commencement exercises Then Harry en-
tered the freshman class at New York Uni
versity. He was Immediately appointed a
substitute on the university football team
His studies We're not neglected. Although
he enjoyed sports, young Brooks wanted to
be at the head of his classes. He pored over
mis- books and made the most of his fine
opportunities for acquiring liberal educa-
ton. He wanted to be a lawyer like the
stepfather whom he loved and honored.
The prize which he had won at the Ham
llton institute spurred him on to greater
efforts at the university. He felt that he
must equal or better his record. So he stud
led until he was in danger of becon that
almost despised things among students-a
dig. A few weeks ago Harry began to
complain of not feeling well, and DR. A. II
Travis, of 130 West Eighty-second street
prescribed for him. 1t was supposed by the
family that the treatment had been effective
and that the boy was all right.
But yesterday morning at the breakfast
nour, when Harry did not appear. his step
1ather went TO his room to see what was the
trouble. He found the boy stretched on the
, bed unconscious. The revolver which had
been one of his playthings, lay on the coun-
Mood The boy had shot himself behind the
right ear. AT O'Clock yesterday afternoon
nc died without having regained consci GUS
ness.
A letter written as if Harry had been la
boring under great mental excitement, dis
closed the reason for the suicide
Il feel that my life is not worth living
l nave not done as we'll In my studies rs /
ought to have done, and i am sorry for the
disgrace / have brought on my family be-
cause of 1T. So l have decided to go away
Tell mother not to worry, because I shall
come back. / don't know where shall go
Mrs. Brooks is very ill., and an effort was
made to keep the fact that her son had COM
mitted suicide from her. But she could not
be deceived, and her condition is sucn as to
cause great anxiety We cannot Under
stand why Harry should have killed him
SELF, said Mr.. Brooks. THE only thing
that seems plausible is that he over worked
at school. DIR; Travis said that he believed
young Brooks had shot himself when tenn
porarily insane. "Overstudy did it, think"
he said