Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-06-18
DESPAIR AND DEATH.
Loss of Health Causes George
D. MediII to End
Life.
HE SOUGHT 4 LONELY SPOT.
Where the Body Was Found
Near MiIan-The In
quest.
BE SOUGHT A LONELY SPOT.

Jay nOEHluS OJ s6uOIUR DuIlcl HUN
a 32-calibre revolver into his brain.
He selected a lonely spot on the en-
bankment of the Hen.epin canal, 6
short distance above the town, to
commit the tragic deed. The body
was found by William H. Payson,
Jr.. at O'Clock. probably half hour
after the fatal shot had been fired.
Mr.. Payson was going out to look
over his cornfeld and discov-
ere6 the remains of the unfor-
tunate man lying in the sand, a
hole in the right temple, from which
blood was flowing, a revolver lying
near the right foot. Mr.. Payson has
tened back to the village and gave the
alarm. DR.. w. L. Eddy and others
visited the scene of the suicide.
Coroner l.. V. Eckhart was notified
and conducted an inquest at the town
hall, the jury, w. l.. Eddy, foreman;
II. L. Framing, Charles w. Ruge, /.
Fl. Caldwell. William Kale and d. &.
Davis, returning a verdict that it was
a case of self-destruction due to de-
spondency over poor health.
Ex-Mayor t. j. Medill, of this city,
brother of the deceased, gave the
following testimony before the jury:
Il last saw my brother alive last
Monday morning. His health has
been very poor for years. He was
troubled with extreme nervousness
and insomnia. He never intimated to
me that he might commit suicide.
His age was Al years and 8 months.
He was born in Milan. He had never
said anything TO me concerning tax
ing his life, but had often told me of
not being able to sleep and had been
so ever since our mothers death. |
could see for myself he was extremely
nervous.
Afflicted by Disease.
1--WE were all aware that his mind
was weak and had been since an at
tack of scarlet fever. Later he was
sunstruck and still later was over
come by heat in a prairie fire. His
health had been worse since then. and
since mothers death had been grow
ing worse"
William II. Payson, Jr., told of the
discovery of the body.
Samuel Blair, Jr.. said Mr.. Medill
had complained to him of not feeling
well and he had advised him to go
away for a visit.
Miss Margaret Carnaghan testified
the deceased had told her of keeping
revolver in his room. She asked him
for it and he replied that he wanted
it, saying he might have use for it
been Respondent.
DIR. w. l. Eddy said he had Mr..
Medill go to Chicago recently to con-
suit a specialist on nervous diseases.
Deceased had worried a great deal
over his condition, fearing his mind
might give away entirely.
Alexander Owens knew Mr.. Medill
well aud advised him to take a trip
for the benefit of his health.
Had Spoken of His Intentions
d. T. Little testified that Mr.. Medill
visited him at his store about three
weeks ago, when he had q confidential
talk with him. They went into back
room. In his testimony of the con-
versation with the suffering man. Mr..
Little stated that Mr.. Medill spoke of
having been before the grand Jury as
a witness, and of his declaring that he
udu uOllOn ~ nil DcCd0 luc
chairman had accused him of perjury.
Mr.. Medill appeared in a confused
state of mind and admitted that he
was not himself when before the
grand jury. According to Mr.. Lit
lies evidence, Mr.. Medill had dread
Of being arrested for not obey
ing the summons of the grand
Jury as to reporting in Rock
Island, and of the consequences of the
testimony he had given, saving that
be would commit suicide rather than
suffer the penalty of perjury. Mr..
Little, however. attempted to quiet
him and to dissaude him from any
rash act.
Other witnesses were Henry Will
son. Charles S. White, DIR. G. a.
William c. Nice.
Mr.. Medill had been married, but |
his wife died some years ago. He is
survived by four brothers and two |
sisters; Alexander, of Milan; T.
J., Rock Island. John Yakima,
Wash; Cyrus, Dawson City. Alaska;
Mss Margaret Medill, Milan, and |
Mrs. Elizabeth Cleveland, Kansas |
City.
SAD case.
The case is indeed a singularly sad
me. The deceased had not only suf-
ered from the effects of two distinct |
leat strokes until he was mentally
broken down, but he was afflicted i,
With organic troubles, and then
when he lost in turn his wife and
10Th parents he became COM
ortless. Extreme nervousness
,rought on insomnia. and he was
Ienied even the rest that was his due
rom nature. He felt that he was
'reaking down, that life had only
Misery in store for him. He thought
hat he was misunderstood and his
motives and intentions were ques-
toned. Naturally possessed of
cen sense of honor, this added to his
nguish until his existence became \
onraa Of 1road In Aaanair he want 4