The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-08-23
SUICIDE OF A PROMINENT ALBION
FARMER

Insane From Brooding Over Illness, j. E.
Wescott Seeks His Own Destruction.
Jay Il. Wescott, chairman of the town
of Albion and one of the leading farmers
in southern Dane county, committed
suicide by hanging himself shortly after
dinner on Friday last. He arose from
his table before the family had finished
the meal, went to the barn where he Sc
cured rope and passing into tobacco
shed, stood upon the sill while he fas-
tened it around his neck and drawing it
tightly over stringer, swung himself
off. The weight of his body soon stran-
gled him, though his feet barely missed
the ground.
Mr.. Wescott had an appointment with
D. L. Babcock, president OF the town in
surance company, to go to neighboring
farm and appraise some stock killed by
lightning, and when the latter arrived
and inquired for Mr.. Wescott he was
told that he must be about the barn,
and when a search was instituted his
lifeless body was discovered about
half hour after he had committed the
act. Subsequent events seem to indi.
cate that he had deliberately planned
his self destruction. A few days before
his resignation as chairman and the
town papers had been sent in but not
officially accepted. His business matters
had been carefully arranged so there
might be no complications in the settle
ment of his estate.
Just why Mr.. Wescott should desire
to put an end to his existence can be &C.
counted for only by one reason-that of
arrangement 1t is known that ne had
been sick for several months past and
his condition greatly worried him.
Brooding over his trouble and his in
ability to sleep for some time past
brought on an attack of insanity and a
desire for suicide.
Jay E. Wescott, second son of Varnum
| Wescott, was born on the homestead on
| which he died, Oct II, 1854. His educa-
| ton was received as student of Albion
academy, and in 1878 he was united in
marriage to Sylvia Gates, from which
union eight children, four boys and four
! girls, were born. He was a man of quiet,
unassuming manners but had a way
with him that won the confidence and
admiration of all who knew him. While
| he was devoted to his family, he took
| deep interest in the affairs of his town
and county. For eight years he has
been chairman of the town board and
| held important positions on committees
of the county board of supervisors He
| was also director of the Town of AL
| bion Insurance Co. and was member
! of the Masonic and K of 2. lodges of
| this city. His farm home three miles
northwest of Edgerton has always been
| model of thriftiness and he was count
| ed one of the substantial and indepen-
dent men of the community.
| Funeral services were conducted by
Rev L. A. Parr, from his late home Mon
| day afternoon, and was one Of the most
| largely attended obsequies ever held in
the town, despite the threatening wealth
or or the heavy thunder storm that &C.
Cured during the service. The Masonic
and X of P. orders and delegation of
county officials consisting of Sheriff Kit
telson, VIM Fehlandt, supervisor of as
sessment; G. J. Fjelstad, county clerk;
| G. A. Hanson, chairman of the Dane
county board of supervisors; Byron
Rapp of Dane and Thos. Olson of Madi
son, were present. A Masonic burial
took place in Fassett cemetery, con-
Quoted by Fulton Lodge No. 50.