Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-04-16
Nicholas Dick a Suicide,

StttlerS OF this county, and q
character known to almost every
one, committed suicide at his
late home in this city onTuesdsy
morning off this week by drinkin
earbolic acid. Nothing was left
IN the way of a letter to show
the cause for this rash action.
but those who knew him best and
who came in contact with him
frequently were not surprised.
He had brooded over his troub-
les for many months. He was.
when himself, an honest, hard.
working man. But he was his
cwn worst enemy. And it was
after some of his off times that
he would brood over existing con
ditions, and generally that would
lead to another off time. As
before stated, when himself he
was as good as could be.
1t appears that he had of late
frequently spoken of committing
but those e with whom
he conversed, placed little faith
in the statement. On Monday it
was reported to the marshal that
he had a bottle of the poison.
Mr. Wemmergren called on Mr..
Dick and succeeded in getting
the bottle and a promise from
him to let this rash act out of his
list. But it seems that he did not
intend to. His son Arthur,
who lived with him in the family
home which they had recently
sold and of which they were to
give possession in a few days,
arose early Tuesday and went
10 exercise a horse. On his re.
turn to the house about ten
D clock he smelled carbolic acid.
investigated, found his father ly-
ing on the bed breathing his last,
being then past all help. The fun.
eral services were conducted on
afternoon by Rev. Suth
~
Mr.. Dick was a German, a stone
mason by trade. He came to
his county in 1878, lived for a
of years on a farm, then
zane into town and has followed
lis trade since that time. His
wife who was a sister to the
Damn boys out in Buffalo, dice
little over a year ago. Several
,hildren were born to the union,
'nly two of them are living, Ar
hur, who has been at home, and
'Irs John Stevens of Hutchinson.
lis wife was a very faithful and
xcellent woman, and in spite Of
IL her trials and tribulations,
managed TO save considerable in
he way of property, nearly all
f which is still intact. Mr.. Dick
ad one brother that we knew,
AXE, formerly living in Ellin.
ToOd, but later in Texas.
1t is on occasions of this kind,
about by the cause that
his suicide was brought about,
o speak plainly and without
hrOwing any further disparage.
nent on the cold and lifeless forl
f what once was a mothers
t what once was a mother IS
reciOus baby boy, in which at
ne time the hopes of future joys
nd sorrows of a bride were
laced, Of what was a strong,
turdy man, endowed with all
he elements of manhood that are
.iven to those who have been
'laced on this earth to follow the
cad of the Master. thar we won
Ter what ii is that causes mer
o stray away from their teach
ngs and their better judgment.
FROM the promises made to their
mother and to the blushing bride,
10 stray from all that is good,
md holy, and right, it is a pecu-
lar thing. And yet, with the
many examples of this nature-tha
ire set before men, there are
cores of young men who are
% shaping their future that wher
heir turn comes, it will in many
,ases, come as Mr.. Dicks.
This is an occasion when many
ihOuld stop and investigate their
,wn method of life, and see if
hey are following the straight
md narrow path which leads to
honorable, upright living, or
they are following that
path which leads to immortality,
degradation, ruin, and finally the
taking of their own life, or
the loss of their life in an igno-
minious manner. This is not said
in disparagement Of the deceas-
ed, a man that personally we