The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-03-04
Young Boy Could Not Bear |nfamu
Of Suspension
HIS TEACHER misunderstood HIM
LITTLE HUNGARIAN WHOSE PA.
RENTS WERE AMBITIOUS USES
FATHERS PISTOL.

CHICAGO, Mch. 4.-1n fit of de-
spOndency as the result of being sus-
pended from the Skinner school. Paul
Berak, Jr., IA years old, 375 West Van
Buren, street, shot and instantly killed
himself shortly after 4 o'clock yester-
day afternoon in the yards of the Met
| ropolitan elevated railroad at Throop
and Van Buren, streets. Policeman
Simsroth of the Twenty seventh pre-
cinct station, heard the shot and re-
moved the body to the undertaking
| rooms of James c. Gavin, Center ave-
nue. and Van Buren, street. where the
inquest will be held this morning.
The boy had been attending the
Skinner school since the family came
to Chicago from Budapest about three
years ago He complained frequently
that because of his broken speech his
sChoolmates made fun of him and he
told his parents that his teacher, Miss
Mcdonald, of the seventh grade, was
impatient with him. though this latter
is supposed to have been an imaginary
grievance.
Misunderstood by Teacher.
Many times he complained he was
asked questions which he did not I'M
derstand, and was censured for not
replying. This is said to have hap
pened last Thursday, and the teacher
evidently misunderstood his silence
and interpreted it as stubborness. for
she called in the principal and Paul
was told he was suspended.
He was an only child and was afraid
to tell his parents of his expulsion, as
they We're anxious he should obtain an
education and expected great things
of the lad. Neither did the school au-
thorities inform them of his suspen-
sion. and the lad pretended to go to
school as usual.
Paul took his fathers revolver from
a bureau in the morning and started
out. ostensibly for school. When he did
not return at noon his mother became
anxious and sent for the father. They
were about to go in search of the son
the boys death.
In one of the lads pockets was found
note written in Hungarian, explain
ing that he intended to commit suicide
because he could not bear to bring dis
grace and shame upon his parents by
his failure in his studies and expul-
sion from the school,
Wounded by PIaymates' Gibes.
Neighbors and friends of the boy
said he was bright and manly, ambi-
tious to learn and sensitive to gibes at
his broken speech. Within three years
he had reached the seventh grade in
spite of this handicap. He was well
liked, and for some time had sung in
the choir of the First Congregational
church, Washington boulevard and
South Ann street, the pastor of which,
the Rev. w. A. Bartlett, took a great
interest in the boys progress.
The father of the boy, Paul Berak
Sr., is well known as an author, and
dramatist among the Hungarians Of
the city, but by reason of his deafness
he never has been able to learn the
English language, and the family has
remained in poor circumstances. He
has written several dramas, which
have been produced at Hungarian fes-
rivals in Chicago. The parents ex-
pected great things from their son, and
there is doubt that the mother will re-
cover from the shock of his death.