davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
Suicides IN 1898.
A Minute Analysis OF tho Years Self.
Killings.

Killings.
To TIE EDITOR OF The SuN-Sir: As mat
ter Of personal interest. clipped all of the sui
eide notices which appeared In the morning
edition OF THE SUN. including the Sunday
Issue. during the year 1893. The accumula-
ton so far exceeded my expectations, and the
classification and analysis OF the items proved
30 interesting. that venture to present the re-
suits In the hope that they may be Of some In
terest to the readers OF your paper
Rejecting the doubtful cases. there were SOS
deaths reported az suicides in the columns Of
THE Sun during the year 1898. In forty seven
OF the leading cities Of the United States. 2.331
suicides were officially reported during 1898
The sum OF the populations Of these cities was
estimated to be about thirteen millions. or ap-
proximately one-sixth the population OF the
United States While, therefore. the S0S cases
noticed in THE Sun represent perhaps, not
more than 10 per cent. of the total number Of
suicides in the United States during 1903. the
analysis OF them is OF special interest because
the Information js more detailed than that
usually found In official reports.
OF the SOS suicides 621. or about II per
cent. were Males and 1877 or % per cent,
were females. Males generally constitute from
20 to so per cent. of the suicides The sex dis
tribution OF tho suicides under observation
would. therefore. seem to indicate that they
are fairly representative
The method by which self-destruction was
effected was noted In almost every instance
This information was given for all OF the fe-
male suicides. and for all but eleven OF the
male suicides. The classification of the SOS
cases by sex and method is presented in the
following tables:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
summer Tale of shark.
From the London Da,lv N,y,.

From hs London Daily N>pi
AZ Genoa three fishermen In . small boat caught
sight OF large shark close TO them in the water
One OF the youths. named Enrico, wishing to a..
cure the fsh, jumped into the sea, and with incred
BILE strength took 1t In his arms and threw It into
the boat For a moment the shark seemed stunned.
but. rousing itself. terrible battle ensued in IN.
boat. The shark seized the arm of one Of tbs ma,
and the others beat with their oars trying 10 free
their companion. Suddenly the shark let 60 and h,t
its first cAptor in the neck and face. Finally the
three succeeded in throwing the shark into Tho
water. and the wounded mon went on shore to have
their hurts attended to.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26

1t is too soon to assume that the peace
will be broken In South Africa. The despatch
OF battalion OF infantry and q company OF en-
gineers to Cape Colony does not necessarily
mean aggression on the part OF the British
Government. nor even would the despatch OF
another thousand or two Of troops. After Ma
juba Hill. when the Beers were not nearly so
well armed and organized or so numerous as
they arc now. 1t was estimated that II would
require 10000 British troops to effect the con-
quest Of the Transvaal and keep South Africa
in order. Tho conditions now are such that
British military authorities admit that a full
army corps would be required for the same
purpose. and perhaps even more. II the Dutch
of Cape Colony and Natal made common cause
with the Transvaal and the Orange Free State
Unless large numbers OF troops are sent out
to south Africa there will be no imm ediate
prospect OF war. The despatch OF such re-
endorsements as have been announced may be
regarded as a measure OF precaution only
Ii the British demands for increased repre-
sentation and extended franchise and the use
OF English in the Rand are granted In their
entirety. there will be no war. but the probable
ity is that the instinct CT self preservation will
impel the Beers to limit their concessions by
restrictions that will make them unacceptable
to the British Colonial ONCE II 1t Is DESTROYS of
keeping the sore open. An occasion for war on
the Transvaal will then be all that is required,
and that. as has already been pointed out In
THE Sun. may be found when the award is
made in connection with the Deagoa Bay rail-
way arbitration, an event soon due.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
Gloucester's Interest In the Newfound-
land Question.

Our Maine and Massachusetts fishermen
are involved to some extent in the New
foundand Anglo-French dispute, through
the obstacles thrown in tho way OF their
obtaining herring for bait.
The difficulty. so far as the dispatches
show. seems to arise from new regulations
which the island authorities have made this
year, somewhat restricting the bait privi-
legos which the French have claimed, and
which hitherto have been conceded, it ap-
pear, to the extent Of allowing their fisher
men priority in the bait supply, Such rights
as American fishermen have to obtain her
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26

that riders who year or two ago were fond
OF exhibiting their smartness, or, as tho
saying goes, Of showing of" have been.
to large extent, subdued by the result Of
their own foolishness, without the assist
ance OF others. Some have been subdued
In police courts, and many have been re-
strained by intelligent observation OF the
mistakes oftheir companions. At all events,
the riders OF the wheel have this year
merited commentator for their increased
caution and skill, and 1t Is to be hoped that
the improvement will be lasting.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
John Dunn's Address in zuiuland.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-SIr: John Dunn
concerning whom You printed a query the other
day lives in absolute enjoyment OF life in Zululand
South Africa unless he left there during the last
year He holds the position OF interpreter at local
Magistrates court. and adds in another way to his
income by assisting In the collection Of hut taxes
from the descendants OF Cetewayo's clans. letter
addressed John Dunn, Eshowe. Zululand. via Dur.
unless the Inconsistencies OF one OF the seventeen
wives or liz children, which. in 1898, he was re-
ported TO have leads IL Astray.
HOWARD C. HILLEoAn.
PESssBURG, Pa. June ~.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
The Paper Trade viii Take . Long Fourth
of july.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suS-Sir: A petition sent
out by the firm of Miller. Sloan 4 Wright to the
trade in favor OF closing up their establishments
from July 1 until Wednesday morning. July 8,
thereby making Monday. July 3. holiday, has met
with the approval OF the majority OF tho paper deal.
ers. ten firms having already signed the same.
Over half the remainder are sure TO sign by Mon
day morning.
We think 1t good movement. as there would prob
ably DO but very little business transacted should
the stores be kept open. GA
NEW York. juno "a
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26

The revelation that Lieutenant Commander
Hodgson's denial Of the reported Damn the
Texas" conversation on the Brooklyn related
only to certain details and did not repudiate
the incident as whole. puts the Admiral in the
position OF attempting deceit BY the publica-
tion Of the amended letter.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
AGuinaldO'A SIuhinRa.

sometimes wonder as I sit
And dream Of where r m At.
II some OF those who've talked to ma
Weren't talking through their hat.
sometimes wonder az sit
And contemplate the gloom
That quickly gathers round me now
Whereis my erstwhile boom.
sometimes wonder as sit
And sadly coeitato,
II things are as they ought to be
In this, my regal state.
lsometip.es wonder as sit
And aim that merry fam
or Liberty. If I'm as great
As I've boon told Am.
Isometimes wonder IS l sit
And think what I'm here for
Ho" much would Uncle Sam pay cssh
For me to end the war.
Isomotimes wonder a. I sit
And think Of Spain and what
An easy mark she was. WHY'S
Tho Yankee nation not.
sometimes wonder az sit
And dream OF what am
And what might have been. ifit
Ii wrong 10 murmur: "Damnr
WILL.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
rHs REACTION OF THE rRrox.
A Few More Honest Americas Opinions
About Admiral schley.

From TIE Eimird Advertiser.
Capt. Chadwick has made an investigation Of
the case and his report, signed also by Hodg-
son. leaves Admiral schley In most mortify-
ing position. 1t is for him to explain his de-
malls and the suppression OF an important
letter, and his loop" and so on. What will
be the next phase OF the matter cannot be pre-
dicted. As far as history Is concerned. the
case is practically closed. and not in way that
can be satisfactory TO Sohey. The matter is
up to him. What he will do. II anything. re-
mains to be seen. What he ought to do is
clear enough and that is to demand an in
quiry and make an explanation II he can. He
has managed the affair 30 as to discredit him
self instead Of leaving II whore 1t was with the
country ready to honor him to the utmost.
His denials and suppressors have led him into
a sad pithola
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
From the Boston, Evening Trdnsc,tpt.

Admiral Schley and his indiscreet friends ap-
pear to have only themselves to blame for re-
viving the controversy and for the unpleasant
consequences which have followed. or may
follow
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
Automobile, Ain

From the Louisville Evening Past
the march OF improvement Keeps nm IL, ,,,,.
s sney II soon be changing the name of .ia,aA
southern city to Auto. Mobile. Ala, sister
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
METHODS OF sELF-MuRnER ADOPTED ny aOe
Totals
Totals. ...............100.0
1000

males was shooting while with females poison
was by far the most frequent means OF self
destruction. While 403 per cent OF the male
suicides employed firearms rs a method OF
by 55,1 per cent. OF, the female suicides, and
was second In popularity with the males. 232
per cent. Of whom used that means to accom-
plish their purpose. Illuminating gas was
more popular with the females than with the
males. as was also death By drowning and
leaps Deaths by hanging and by cuts and
stahs were nearly twice as frequent among
total mum Der Of suicides Of each sex
Thirty-two OF the 81 deaths from cuts and
stabs resulted from throat-cuttinR Sixteen of
these were reported as having cut their throats
with razors. Three OF the women who ont
their threats used razor. and II was not stated
with what Instrument tho other two committed
the act.
The poison most popular as a means OF self
destruction was carbollc acid or the I44 male
suicides by poison, 81, or 63.2 per cent drank
carbolic acid and this poison was even more
popular with the females. Of whom To- or 73S
per cent. of those. dying by poison. drank this
fatal LIQUID. Paris green. apdanum. motphine
larty; The ,remaininG deaths by poison re- re-
suited from the use OF various poisonous sub
stances. One woman ate spiders with fatal
consequences. very desperate man pre
pared poisonous, drink by soaking 200
matches in water. Both OF these persons were
adopted to eXtinguish the spark OF life.
Statements ms TO the cause Of suicide were
generally unsatisfactory. and a possible cause
was specifically mentioned In only 400 Of the
SQS cases. These may roughly be grouped as
follows "
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26
Tennessee Nerve and sL,,

Fro" he NushriHs Bann,,.
"a, a GILES county citizen ia reported % h..
Hin n sRHs IN meal sack ON ebaate "a
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26

Some very frivolous reasons were alleged for
suicide. One man hanged himself In the stair
WAY because his wife was too busy TO read tbs
Bible to him on particular occasion A
woman burned herself to death because she
was dispeased with henhouse built BY her
brother. Another woman took Ras because
her husband very properly objected to her
riding bicycle at night unattended
A., As regards the social condition, or status Of
the Bowery Peach" and the Queen OF the
Tenderlotn to those revolving In the highest
social circles.
In conclusion / may add that besides the
SOS successful suicides. there were notices in
THE SUN Of l64 unsuccessful attempts at self
murder during 1904. making a proportion Of
one unsuccessful TO every five successful at
tempts OF the thwarted attempts. 103 were
from suicide would, therefore, seem by no
means to measure the full strength Of the
tendency Of a population to suicide.
NEWARK, n. j.. June II. 4. 8. DRUM,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26

1s9+........ $1,000. 900 1897 ........ $4,000 900
1s9b........ $4,000. 900 1898 ........ $4,000. 900
PHILADELPHIA.
1893. 900. 900, 1896 ........ 5000 900
1894 10000 600 lse7......... IL 900. 900
1ss6......... 100000 1893 ........ 22.ooo, 600
II this be rapid loss of the grain export
trade OF the country It Is a form OF CONNER
cal injury which New York can very we'll
stand. and the wonder ia that despite so much
sources. the city Of New York should have ere re-:
these sources Of competition are it Is easy to
state, The power OF the Erie Canal to compete
With the railroad trunk lines Is obviously and
cheaper than It is now. Fast freight. an innova-
ture OF transportation. and whilethe Erie Canal
mas 6y no means ms ceased to be an important
general decline OF canal business has put other
American cities on the Atlantic seaboard under
more issv0rs6ls conditions Again the trunk
points q shipment Norfolk and Newport News IS
practically at sG its sci close tnder en
in,GGh tighten management and with renewed con
and With penty Of hess ths bays
been rehabilitated and they now form a profit
able A. line OF connection with the West and South.
should profit from this business. and when the
geographical relation OF. the two cities is CON
slucIeu, IL IL II source !O1 surprise That New
York should have been able to retain as much
OF this business as II has in competition with
! Baltimore; 80 long as many OF the grain ship
m II, i came TO New York by canal the danger
but now that the great bulk of the business
comes over trunk lines. II Is by no means sur
prisins that the Boston shipments should have
increased. though not to any such extent as
puts in jeopardy New iork's lead
The commercial interests OF Philadelphia are
snlendidly served by the two railroad systems
and the AGRICULTURAL products OF the territory
tributary to Philadelphia are largely in the line
OF b5teadgtuiis, for which there ia foreign de-
York State are in the line Of fruits and dairy
PRODUCTS and not in grain, :, The fact, ap-
ing very we'll its share Of the grain Az
norting trade OF the Atlantic seaboard. and
the only menace to its control comes not from
lines to the Atlantic discriminate in favor Of
weston and Mobile. and from San F Francisco o on
Ike f tSsd ssss Of Re 4s az bTG
sstuffs is gradually moving toward the
Vest; ana as the freight CARRYING capacity
e. tns 5aTo sds 9 9bs the Valley
interests OF Gulf ports are, Of course. promoted
But New York retains its position at the head
which cannot certainly be successfully chai.
ienged for many years. and was illustrated
6 6y the The enormous shipment OF nearly $780,
am well aware that all the accumulated evil
dence OF facts. supported by Treasury figures
and corroborated by general observation in
front Of New YORK VIII have ffH te nS wer
upon the perverse pessimists who long ago de-
aerm Mn that New i9rks suprem
but the facts Of the case are as l state them
NEW YORK. June "a. Ell
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-26

PAnis-Kiosque No. 10, near Grand Hotel. and
Kiosque No. 10. Boulevard des Capuoines.
The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-07-22
That's What Hurts Him.

The Vinita Daily Chieftain and
Miami Herald remind US of two
calves sucking each others ears.
The Chieftain says: "Miami is
one of the best towns in the north
ern district" The Herald pays
for the taffy by calling The Chief
tain one Of the best papers in the
territory. 1t may feel good to
those fellows now, but it may
make stump suckers of them both
at weaving time. -ALftoa Climax.
Haven't heard anyone saying
anything of the kind about Alton
or the Climax, have your
Robert G. Ingersoll, the famous
agnostic, died at bis summer home
at Dobbs' Ferry, in New York
state, yesterday, Of appopiexy
The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-07-22

Right of the Interior Depart
ment to LegisIate Denied,

The merchants are not paying
their Cherokee national tax, to any
considerable extent, and there
does not seem to be any good way
at the command of the interior de-
partment to compel compliance
with its order. There was, very
clearly, two sides to the destruc-
tion ofjurisdiction question. There
is Just as much reason for enforc-
ing the permit law, which was
really a revenue measure, as there
is for enforcing the merchants ia x
provision. Not only are the mer-
chants declining to pay, but the
hay men also do not respond to
the collectors opportunities. To
make a long story short-the peo-
pie of this country do not recog-
nize any justice in the interior de-
partment culling out and endeav-
oring to entorc5 certain sections of
the obsolete Cherokee law book
and will resist the attempt in the
courts.
The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-07-22

| troops unu6r Muntgnmery look
the town. had $4,000 in my
saddle-bags, and, knowing what
was taking place, put the saddle
bags under a blanket behind the
door. | was captured with the
balance of the citizens of the town
and was made TO stand in line
until Montgomery and his men
sacked the town. After they had
gone found my saddle-bags con-
tanning the 1000 all safe and lost
no time in getting back to Mis-
souri,.
after my experience at Fort
Scott | began to be little more
careful about taking care of the
money collected, as often had
as much as $4,000 or S12, 600 with
me at time.
I'm the same year stopped at
Cassville, Mo, one night. The
hotel contained exactly four rooms.
| was assigned to bed in the
main room, which answered the
purpose of office, parlor, bed room
and general 'loafng room for the
entire town. | retired about 10
O'Clock, while several visitors
were sitting around the fire. AS
usual, | took what money | had
and my revolver to bed with me.
After being asleep an hour or two
| was awakened by man iumb-
ling at my bed. sat up and
asked who he was. Without max
ing any reply he started Tor the
door. | Immediately opened fire
on him and cornered him. The
disturbance aroused the whole
town, and | was much surprised
to learn he was the county Judge.
The citizens were very indignant
when | accused him of trying TO
steal my money, but few years
later they discovered he had stolen
SIS, 900 from the county and sent
me word they wished had killed
him that night.
"In 1857 there was big Indian
payment at the Greek agency, |
near where Muskogee now is, at
which | collected $4,000 in gold,
which l carried to Van Buren,,
Ark, and exchanged for Louisi-
ana bank notes, which at that
time were at premium of 20 per
cent in st. Louis. Everybody
knew my business and thatI car
ried lots of money. We were all
honest then.
II could fill book with remi-
niscenses OF my half century of ex-
periences on the road. | have
been connected with the A. F.
Hardware company for
nearly AS years and am still trav-
cling for them and expect to con-
.inue doing so for few years
more.
II doubt that there is another
commercial traveller in existence
who has been in the continuous
employ OF one firm for the length
If time that have represented
he Shapleigh company. If there
5, I should like to hear from
llm."
An incident which Col. Bogy
,nce related to the writer is omit
ed. Some time after the war he
vas travelling by stage coach one
lay in north Missouri, when the
oad agents, sheld them up.o Fhe
passengers were all "lined up"
md robbed, with the exception of
'ur friend Bogy. When they got
0 him,he began to clear his pock-
is. but they passed him by with
The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-07-22
COL. BOGY.
A Sketch of the Veteran
Hardware Traveller.

among the passengers who ar
rived on the Frisco this mornioe
was the veteran representative OF
the A. F. Shapleigh Hardware
company, St. Louis, Col. Ben
Bogy. "A week behind your ap-
pointment," was Will Miller's
greeting on meeting the colonel.
But the old gentleman had a valid
excuse; He had been sick for a
\ week, and in addition will be 70
\ years old Tuesday next, the 25th.
4 Few men are possessed of all their
mental faculties at 70, to say
nothing of pursuing calling
which makes demands upon one's
physical system which the life of a
S"drummer" entails.
Il Known as the colonel is in every
hamlet in the Indian Territory
/ the following article from the Iron
Age Of recent date will be Pc
rused with interest:
"The recent articles in the Iron
Age relating to travelling men in
the hardware trade who have
given the greatest number of years
to that service have attracted the
attention of some of the veterans
long employed in this important
vocation. In this sketch of the
busin ess career of Ben Bogy, who
has travelled continuously for 49
years, period cf great develop
ment in mercantile methods is COW
cred and the radical change from
selling the visiting merchant to
the city in ones own store to send
ing salesman with samples and
prices to solicit orders in the buy
. own territory is bridged. Mr..
,gy mentions the fact that he
d fellow travellers took no or
/ srs before the civi. war, their
business being to collect accounts
and make acquaintances. In the
following communication Mr..
IBogy racalls some of the expert
ences of his long and eventful SER
vice as a pioneer and veteran of
the knights OF the grip:
ST.. LOUIS, No.
ITO the Editor:-In your issue |
OF November 3 | notice F. D. Hall,
OF Newtonville, Mass, says he
had been travelling for As years. |
can beat him three years, as have
been 'on the road 49 years, and
still travel II months 10 the year.
when l began travelling there
were no railroads at all in the
west. My first trip was made in
1S49 for Child, Farr & Co., of St.
Louis, Mo-, through northwest H.
linsis, as far north as Galena. /
continued with their successors,
Child, Pratt & Co., making two
trips year on horseback, until
1851, when | took position with
Shapleigh, Day u Co. to travel in
northwest Illinois, Iowa and
northeast Missouri. Since then /
have travelled all over the west, by
wagon and 90 horseback, drum.
ming trade and collecting for
5hapleigh, Day Il Co. and their
successors, a. r. Shapleigh Hard
ware company.
"My territory for the past 20
Years has been the Indian Terri
iory, from Joplin, Mo-, to Deni-
ION, Texas.
Il was the first tnative-born
Missourian sent out on the road as
commercial traveller or drummer.
All the men holding positions Of
hat character at that time were
'astern men. except two or three
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-14

proved a s9'n Fy,9at risky experiment.
in u.le w.n'tr months. when the hfe
ha1 10 be fu. hut the owner felt no
burglar wouA ever dream Of looking IN
a taal scuait for valrables.
Another lady once confded to the
writer ti;.t II she had occasion To leave
her house nmp.y She invariably placed
her jewelry in her old shoes. when
werr placed alongside the new ones.
Quite lot Of taluahles can he FORCED
dawn INFO the toes Without giving the
sljchtes: evidence Of the value therein.
or other hiding places perhaps IN;
mos, popular, especially for paper
money. IL the big family Bible. 1t is
quite a customary thing in out OF the
way country houses 20 thus secure any
valuable paacrs in the possession of tue
family. Tea caddics and sugar bowls
maxi. oxeallent temporary safes. an
the pocket Of an, old dress hanging in
an unconcealad way in a wardrobe is
regarded by many women as one of the
safest places imaginable for spare
rings. brooches and bracelets.