Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1908-10-21
DIES BY POISON.
In a Fit Of Dependency ''BiIl" Blank
Takes His Own Life.


theatre of another one on last
Monday afternoon. VIM. II
Blank, one of the best known bar
bers in the city, selected that spo1
to commit the act which woule
usher him unbidden into eternity
Late in the afternoon a woman
passing through the woods came
upon the lifeless body and soon
spread the news. The authori-
ties we're notified az quickly as
possible aud Coroner Dorsett and
Officer Julian proceeded to the
scene as rapidly as possible. upon
his arrival the coroner made a
survey of the situation and the
evidence was SO apparent that the
unfortunate man had taken his
own life, that he did not consider
it necessary to hold an inquest.
The remains were conveyed to the
undertaking establishment of G
W. Wright. On Tuesday after
noon the funeral was held from
the late residence of the deceased
on East Council street.
From the evidence at hand it
would appl ear that the act was
done with elaboration. Letters
were found in the pocket of the
d cad man addressed to his wife.
The writer asked her forgiveness
for his rash act and besought her
to look after the children-there
are three, and one of them an in
fant-the best she could, Mr..
Blank had been employed for sew
eral years at the Climax barber
shop on Main street and recently
lost his position. On Monday,
shortly before noon, the deceased
saw T. j. West, his former en-
ployer, and in conversation With
him stated that it was his
purpose to end his life and at once
and asked Mr.. West to look out
for his family: Mr.. West did not
think much of the matter at the
time, but later in the day he bad
good occasion to call the CONVEX
sation to mind. MI. Blank had
provided himself with some
strychnine and early in the after
noon went to the grove, sat with
his back to a tree and took the
fatal dose, There is no means of
knowing just what length of time
ELAPSED between his arrival at the
grove and the execution of his
purpose. 1t is reasonable to pre-
sumo, however, that be had settled
upon the details of the affair pre-
viously and when he reached what
he considered a suitable spot, the
deed was committed without de.
lay. The family of the deceased
is left in almost a destitute condi-
ton and this is one of those cases
which appeal SO strongly to ones
sympathies, that such assistance
as may be needed will not be lack
ing. Neighbors and friends have
been exceedingly kind and several
have gwen substantial expression
to their sympathy. Mr.. Blank
came here from Cincinnati and
was in the employ of Mr.. West ii
this city. There was a much
closer relation between two thar
merely that of employer and en-
ploye.
"Bill" was a good workman,
Jolly, good-natured fellow ans
was generally liked by the patron
of the shop. He had his faults
in common with the rest of US
but those who knew him best be
lieve that brooding over the los
of his position, his poor inancia
condition, his anxiety about tn
future of his wife and children
brought to a state of mind wher
he was not long in resolving upol
his rash course.
But we cannot tell, we don
know and we cannot attempt t
!. judge. There is time and plac
of which it is said:
"There the tears of earth are dried
There it's hidden things ar
clear;
: There the work of life is tried
By a juster Judge than here"
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