Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
STaANGEST OF ALL SUICIDES
DIR. WILLIAMSON HEADED OFF
HoMICIDAL INSANITY.
Got Expert Advice and Then Killed
Himself for Love Of His Wife
and Children.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
UTICA. n. Y, February s.-The suicide
in Malone few days ago OF DIR. Stacy
Dwight Williamson. one of the leading
physicians of that community. has re-
vealed one of the strangest tragedies ever
recorded in northern New York. The de-
tails of the suicide. as unfolded today.
reveal how Dr.. Williamson. prompted by
expert medical opinion that he was rapid
ly developing homicidal insanity and that
in an unguarded moment he might attack
his two small children or beautiful young
wife, made his will. dressed himself for
the grave and swallowed a quantity OF
morphine which caused his death.
Felt Madness Coming.
DR.. Williamson had a very lucrative
practice, was a leader in golf and auto
mobile circles in Malone. and, with his
wife, moved in exclusive society. He wss
of a jovial disposition until year ago.
when he was seized with fit OF melan-
choly during which he confided to his
wife that his mother and another relative
had died of homicidal insanity, and he
expressed the fear that he. too. woHld
meet such a fate. During last summer he
appeared to shake off his melancholy
spell. golf. auto!ng and outdoor sports
and tour of camp service with Nation
al Guard company accomplishing a great
deal toward this end. This winter, how
ever, he developed another moody spell
and two weeks ago informed his wife that
he was going to consult two of the ply
sicians at the Ogdensburg State Hospital
with a view to ascertaining whether or
not he was doomed to insanity.
Got His Own Death Warrant.
Leaving his practice in the care OF an
other Malone physician DR.. Williamson
took a morning train over to OgdenspurS
and in the evening he returned home Win
a message that shattered hope IN MS
household His medical friends al the
Osdensburg State Hospital had informed
him after careful examination lnat no
worst fears would eventually be realizeo'
and that he was liable to become Nlo-
Iently insane without moments warn
ing.
+. Did Everything Methodically.
DIR. Williamson.s mind was, quickly
made I'D as to his course of procedure.
One morning several days later he arose
in apparently better spirits than usual
summoned his coachman and made calls
on such of his patients as needed his I'M
mediate attention. Then he drove home.
wrote letters to his wife and each oil
his children. telling them he was doomed
to insanity and preferred death to ex-
istence in a madhouse; also mentioning
their peril so long as he remained unre-
strained. DIR. Williamson then repaired 10
his sleeping apartments. took Il path,'
shaved himself, attred himself in his
best clothing. swallowed dose Of NOR
phine and lay on a bed.
His wife found him there few mo-
ments afterward, and despite his assur-
ance that he was not i'll she summoned
three physicians. They came promptly.
but DR. Williamson informed them that
their services were use.ess: that he had
taken poison and would be dead IN halt
an hour Then he kissed his wife and
children goodbye, assuring them he mad
done the proper thing. lapsed INTO un.
and died in just half Az
hour, as he had stated he would.