The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-11

was made life was completely extinct
though the body was still warm.
AS was his habit Mr.. Blossom arose
early before any of the other members
of the family and left the house. Moth
ing was thought of this since he was
in the habit of attending to some small
chores about the premises. Mrs. Bios
som and the eldest son, Hiram, aged
Is years, arose shortly after o'clock
and becoming worried at the continued
absence of Mr.. Blossom Mrs. Blossom
with her son made a search in the rear
of the lot for her husband. On mount
ing the stairs to the loft of the barn his
body was found suspended from a rafter
Mrs. Blossom Immediately notified some
of the neighbors nearby who cut the
rope. Mr.. Blossom had evidently
mounted a box and adjusted a rope
from the rafters near the comb of the
roof and then kicked the box away.
DR.. NJ r. Mitchell and DR.. H. H.
Kieth, the coroner, were summoned DR..
Mitchell arriving first. Though the
body was still warm life was extinct
and efforts to resuscitate were entirely
without result.
For the past three years and a half
Mr.. Blossom has been suffering from
worry over losses sustained in the flood
which swept over North Topeka in the
spring of 1903 and by kidney and blad-
der disease and the taking Of his life
In March. 1903, while still a member
of the council, the deceased first show
ed symptoms of mental decline and
from that until September his condition
grew more pronounced, forcing him to
resign his position.
He was placed in the state hospital
for treatment and showed marked inn
provement both physically and mental
ly. the family deciding finally to take
him home. Ever since the first of
March. 1906. he has been at his home
in North Topeka. occupying himself
with small duties though incapable of
attending to anything like active busi-
ness affairs.
Father has never been right since he
came home" said a member of the
family this morning. though he has
never been violent. He would talk to
himself though all the time he was very
peaceabla. We never suspected for a
moment that he would attempt to take
his own life though we were afraid
that he might wander off some time and
for that reason kept rather close watch
upon him. He never said anything that
indicated that he was thinking of taking
his own life. He seemed to be brooding
most of the time. He has not changed
at all since the last six months he spent
IN the hospital The first part of the
time he spent there he got a great deal
better. His condition then seemed to
remain stationary and it has been that
way ever since"
When prominent in the city's affairs
there was probably not a more popular
member of the city council He had the
distinction of being the first Democratic
councilman to be elected from the First
ward. taking his seat IN 1898, after de-
feating c. A. Starbird. the Republican
nominee. In 1890 he was a candidate
against S. c. Miller. but was defeated by
but 20 votes. In 1902 he again became a
candidate. defeating Miller by 26 votes. |
His first entry into ward politics was in
1885 when he was nominated 10 run
against o. d. Skinner. councilman, but |
made unsuccessful race.
Probably no one has proved a more |
popular candidate for councilman among !
the laboring classes of the First ward |
than Jack Blossom. as he was more fa- |
miliarly knewn. He was we'll acquainted |
among them and understood fully their |
needs This naturally made him n cham
pio1 of the laborins classes in the city
council and his strength on election day !
law among these voters.
Though originally of robust health and |
sinewy frame frame. his disease had made |
big inroads upon his constitution. until |
his form was wasted away and there was |
ANAL resemblance to the man whom his |