Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-05-04
THE END WAS SUDDEN.
Ralph c. Northngton an old and Respected
Citizen of Centralia.

known that Ralph G. Worthington,
an old settler and respected business
man and citizen, had taken his own
life. He had retired from an active
business life several years ago and was
making his home with his brother. B.
L. WOrthingtOn, in Centralia. 1t was
apparent to those who were intim-
ately acquainted with him that his
health was rapidly failing him and his
eyeSight growing SO dim that he could
hardly see. lie realized his helpless
ness and weakness and it grieved him
very much as he grew more and more
dependent upon his brother and rela-
tiyeS for his every want. In his feeble
ness of mind and body he planned and
executed his death. Who shall chide
him for the act? No one, for the act
is not that of r. c. WorthingtOn as
he was when he enjoyed health,
strength and vigOr, but the result of
disease. The mantle of charity should
be thrown about his last act and for
gotten, for who can say what he has
not suffered.
He had arisen this morning as usual
and had been assisted in dressing by
his brother as had been necessary for a
long time. He made his way down
stairs, passed through the house and
out into the barn. Here he Steadied
himself against the carpenter BENCH
placed an old-faShioned four barreled
pistol to his head and pulled the trig-
ger. A mutfled report was heard but
it was supposed to have come from a
greater distance than from the barn
to the house. Failing to return in a
reasonable time, his brother went to
the barn in search of him. There he
found him cold in death, his body
lying proStrate on the floor. Near the
body lay the pistol from which the
fatal Shot was fired, in one of the
empty barrels being long, slender
stick, which undoubtedly was used to
give accurate direction to the line of
fire and to steady the palSied hand Of
him who wanted to close his earthly
career
The burden of sorrow fell upon his
only brother, two sons and near rela-
tiveS, who marvel ut his decision with
no intimation of his contemplation.
Ralph c. Worthington was born at
II irGh tp J,1 a
1917. OF family of five children, his
brother, b. II. Worthington of this
city, and sister, Corneiia Sophia Ford
OF North Hampton, Mass, are the
only ones now surviving.
1.-The first act of Mr.. WOrthington's
life which attracted particular atten-
tion was his trip to the gold fields Of
California in the year 1850, soon after
receipt of the news of the great dis
coVery. This trip was made by way
of Nicaragua, and was replete with
adventures and interesting episodes
but was finally successful.
"Mr. WorthingtOn sought and found
gold in paying quantities on Trinity
river. How extensively he never told
But when he first landed in what is
now Centralia in the fall of 1852, he
was the pOSSeSSor of Il considerable
sum. His first investment on coming
here was the purchase from David
Baker OF forty acres of land which
comprises what is now the most
thickly populated portion of the third
ward.
in the spring of 1856, Mr.. Worthing-
ton began the erection of a general
merchandise store, employing c.. ID.
Lemley as chief architect and in the
fall OF that year entered the mercar-
tile business therein in company with
IL. W. Jackson. For forty-three years
this building has been in almost con-
Stant use, and is now being used by
the Centralia Hardware Co. as a ware
house.
Mr.. Worthington was married to
Susan Compton at Plover, Nov. II,
1856, who departed this life June 81.
1884. Five children were born unto
them, only two, DR.. II. c. Worthing-
ton, successful physician of Oak
Park, ILL.,, and David B. Worthington,
one OF the enterpriSing proprietorS of
the Beloit Daily News. now surviving.
The other three died in infancy or
youth.
different changes in business
finally resulted in Mr.. Worthington's
acceptance of a clerkship in John
Compton'S store in Grand Rapids in
1860. When the war broke out Mr..
Compton went to the front, leaving
Mr.. Worthington in practical control
of the business. The soldier was
among the first to fall at the battle of
Shiloh, and after short time a part
nership was formed between Mr.. Wor-
thington and the widow for the con-
tinuance of the business.
THE next change came with the
erection by the deceased of the first
three story building in Grand Rapids
old Music hall-which was built in 1866
and burned about twelve years after
ward. In this building Mr.. Worthing-
ton established a bank and engaged
extensively in the general merchan-
disc business. Like thousands of
other business men he went under
with the crash of '13.
''About the year 1879, he again estab.