Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-01
IS A GRUESOME RECORD
ONE HUNDRED AND SIX PERSONS AT.
TEMPTED SUICIDE IN 1898.
Death Followed in Less Than One
third of the Cases-Seventy-fOur
Were Women and Thirty
two Were Men.

One hundred and six persons male at
tenpts to end their lives during the past
year. according to the records OF the police
surgeon. Death resulted in less than one
third of the cases.
OF the 106 cases treated by the police
surgeon "a Were women and 30 were men.
The blood book at police headquarters
presents some interesting facts concern
ing the life and character OF persons who
seek to end their existence. "Despondency"
is the one word that tells the story in nine
cases out of every ten. Strange motives
are frequently assigned for attempts at self
destruction. Bad health leads to many
suicides, but they are few in number CON-
pared with those where wretchedness is
the cause.
Poverty was the cause Of only one at
tempt at suicide in Kansas City during the
past year. Deserted by her husband and
left penni!ess with six small children de-
pendent upon her for support, a poor wo-k-
ing woman sought to terminate her miser-
able existence by taking morphine. The last
10 cents She possessed was spent for he
drug. The police surgeon saved the I'M
fortunate wOman's life and the story OF the
want and misery she and her little ones en-
dured then became known. Homes We're
provided for them ard they are now a hap
Ply family orce more. The cruel husband
and father has not been heard from since
his disappearance and his wife and children
have Jared better than had he been here
with them.
Quarrels between lovers cause more sui
cides than anything. else. In nire cases out
of every ten 1t is the woman who suffers
and who would gladly welcome death.
Only one man in Kansas City, according
to the police surgeons record, tried to die
last year on account of a woman. His wife
proved false and the discovery OF her in
fidelity was a blow that he could not stand.
one day he Went home from his work and
found his wife gone. All the furniture had
been emoved ard nothing was left behind
by the faithleSS wife. In a note to her huS-
band she said she loved another and had
fled with him The husband was broken
porarily insane. He tried to end his life by
taking laudanum. but DR.. Longan saved
him. He was divorced from his faithless
wife and has since married again.
OF the seventy-four women who attempt
ed suicide last year only one nerved herself
sufficiently TO use a revolver. There were
two attempts at drowning by women and
Morphine is the favorite drug with the
woman who has made up her mind to die.
In more than half the cases where death
enSued this was the drug used. Laudanum
and chloroform claimed numerous victims
last year. Several tried opium, cocaine and
Carbolic acid. Ten used illuminating gas.
In q half dozen instances windows and
doors were barred and the gas was turned
on from a dozen jets.
Two men during the past year hung
themselves. A dozen more shot themselves
and only two cut their throats with razors.
Two men tried to choke themselves to
death and two others made unsuccessful
most horrible case of suicide by shooting
during the year was that of Robert Hen
ressey. of Amorilla. Tex. who killed him.
self with a 44-caliber revolver at the Mound