The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-11-05

terrible and unaccountable period
The papers were filled with reports
of shocking crime. Insanity was
on the increase and suicide was
becoming so frequent that a COM
mittee had been appointed to act.
| was seized with feeling of
morbid curiosity when l read of
the proposed plans of the commit
tee. The men chosen were of high
character and their purpose was
laudable; but could these men in
duce would be suicides to come to
them for consolation and advice?
Yet, | was attracted myself, and
| why not others? / wondered what
arguments would be used to per-
suade respondents to seek rather
than despise life. Then the thought
struck me, that here was a chance
for good story. had dug up
some of the best material ever pub
lished undertaking in various dis
guises. | had been arrested in order
to learn prison life. | had feigned
insanity in order to live as one
demented Now | was to premed
itate suicide, and invoke tire SYM
pathy of those who would persuade
me against the act. The invitation
extended by the committee was
general in it's scope, so | decided to
respond with due haste. l dOnned
a ragged garb and assumed hag-
gard look. | was soon ushered into
the presence of the secretary, who
headed the anti-suicide committee.
81 have come" said l, ito enlist
your aid" The secretary eyed me
closeyl and smilingly told me to be
seated Then he pressed an electric
button, saying that my case would
receive immediate attention. 1 ex-
pected that he was summoning an
assistant, who would bring me
some anti-suicide literature to read,
but learned later that the notice
was given to an attendant in the
basement for a different purpose.
At first the secretary began to rea-
son with me along usual lines of
persuasion, but | saw that if | was
to obtain a good story | must re-
main fixed in my determination at
self destruction. There is no
power in your argument" 1 at last
said; Il might as we'll leave you"
"But | have one more recourse"
replied the secretary. Then, before
| had time to catch my breath or
make reply suddenly shot through
trap door in the floor. l must
have dropped 10 feet, when struck
body of water. This, afterward
learned, was the swimming tank in
the basement. l was soon strug:-
Cling to rise, but found that my up
ward progress had been cut off. A
heavy iron plate had been shunted
across the tank on level with the
surface Of the water fought
desperately. l drove my head and
arms against the iron ceiling. My
lungs were filling with water. My
strength began to fail. How /
longed to live and breathe the air
once more. l thought Of home and
friends. l coveted life and its lost
opportunities. How unselfish
would be If | could live-only live
that would be enough. | would be
willing to undergo any hardship
any misfortune--if / could anly pro-
long my existence.
Then a feeling of comfort came
over me, and l found myself drift
ing-peacefully drifting-I knew
not where, for consciousness was
leaving me and 1 was drowning.
When / awol1e was in the hands
of attendants who were briskly rub
bing me. They gave me a dry suit
of clothes, and was again ushered
into the presence of the secretary
He seemed pleased as he noted my
happy expression. I could not con-
ceal the fact that was glad to be