The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1906-03-30
At GRAVE OF WIFE
Charles K. Sparks, Former Gel
fax Man Attempts Suicide.
DesDOndent Through Grief Oven
Mrs. Sparks Suicide, He Cuts
Throat in Cemetery.

Charles d. Sparks, for q number o
years a resident Of Colfax where he wa
we'll known and worked as a printer, ca
his throat in an attempt to commit sui
eide in Portland Saturday morning II
the Portland Telegram is given the fOl-
lowing account Of the deed:
On the grave Of the wife he buried two
summers ago, Charles f Sparks. ageC
40, and q printer, was discovered at 6:2t
Saturday morning in Lone Fir cemetery
suffering from a eefinflicted wound
His right hand grasped razor, blood
covered. Beneath bis vest was a letter
to his parents. In it he bade them fare
well. Life had become o burden, it said
grief had driven him 10 death.
Means from a cluster of shrubbery
near the pathway drew to the spot W
II. Creighton, of 725 East Stark street
who is employed at the cemetery. He
found Sparks, Kneeling, be tried to
rouse the semi conscious man, who final
Iy responded feebiy that be wished to die
Creighton wrapped a muttiar around
the wounded throat and sent for the
police Mr.. Sparks was unconscious
when the officers arrived, but the flow 0i
blood had stopped.
Nearly every day since Mrs. Sparks
was buried the husband has worked
steadily at his trade with the james
Printing Company, but has grieved con
tinually.
"He grieved himself nearly to death, Y
said his employer this morning. "He
has two splendid boys, Harold and
Cromwell, about and years old, re
spectively, and there never was day be
would not talk of them. He was an ex-
eellent priater and an Odd FelloWjn good
standing. Sorrow for his wife and worry
over the two lads are what | think have
driven him to this"
Mrs. Sparks drank carbOlic acid.
The following letter was found:
Portland, Or, March 23, 1906 My Dear
Parents: | am IN such nervous state Of
mind and body | can scarcely wrlte
| intend this to be my last letter to you, and
when you receive it do not grieve too much,
for, no doubt, grief is what has brought me TO
my present condition. / would like much to
see you before ! die but think it best to do
such rash act away from everybody. | hope
not one of the family will blame themselves
for anything | love you all dearly. prayed
to God last night to give me strength and help
me to do my duty as a man, and if it were not
for fear of insanity and the asylum, / think l
could live better than | have been living But
for my two boys-Jhe darling little orphans
il would be better that | were dead.
Mr. Boost has s. 0 in keeping for the chill
dren. have my lodge dues paid up | hope
you will be kind always TO the little sweet
hearts and train them well. l know it will
nearly break their hearts to hear Of my death,
but it is better for them that | am in my
grave than in the asylum. | am satisfied that
have been out of my mind several times
lately. If Mrs Davenport still wishes to take
care of the boys well and good; if not, try not
to separate them, for Cromwell will lean or
Harold.
I would like much to see my dear brother
and sister before [ die. but that is out of the
que ton. l would like the Odd Fellows tC
take charge Of my body.
[ love my little boys so much that | cannot
express my love sufficiently. God bless you
all. Your son and brother, c.. Z. SPARKS.