Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-04-08
WANTED TO KEEP
MEMORY OF HIS BABY

James Travillion, who commit
ted suicide at the asylum for the In
sane Tuesday night. had been an in
mate of that institution for Is years.
though only 55 years old. A number
o fthese many years he was confined
to his bed. OF late years he had
been a trusty, and had at no time
shown any suicidal mania. II seems
that for all these years he had
, thought his daughter dead. but a
| few days ago leter was received
from her inQuiring about him and
| enclosing a picture of herself and
husband, the letter being sent to the
asylum authorities. When told this
Travillion refused to look at the pic
ture, saying he wanted now to go to
his grave with the memory of his
little child. as he had last seen her.
While Il Is undoubtedly true that
this incident decided him to make an
end to his worries, IL is no doubt
true that he had contemplated sui
eide for some time, as among his
little effects was found the following
clipping:
"As to the general subject of sui
eide, man is commonly the best
judge OF whether it is good for him
Suicid els neither so trivial nor so al
Turing that Il is likely to be under
taken in a spirit OF thoughtless and
airy levity, or without serious can
vass of its evils and advantages
The ancients, compared with whom
we are babbling babes, held It in
high esteem as final defense
against the assaults of fortune. We
punish the unsuccessful attempt and
load with calumny the name and
memory of him who has put himself
beyond the reach of our sage malev-
olence. For my part | would no
more interfere with person commit
ing suicide than with a person en-
gagged in being born.
II is to the clergy that we are
mainly indebted for our brutality in
this matter--the chaps who used TO.
and, | believe. still do deny the un-
fortunate suicide the invaluable ad-
vantage OF burial In "consecrated
ground" compelling his secret In
terment by night, with a eros sabovG
him and stake to mark the spot
(True. the cross was no more than
the intersection of two roads and the
statek, having to be hammered well
down. may have penetrated his in
side, but it was the best that could
be done). These enterprising gen
tlemen not only have "cornered" all
the salable advantages and pleasures
OF life that their several syndicates
can handle. but have laid their
hands otherwise than In dedication
upon life Itself, and death. too. Ev-
erythIng enjoyable is TO be enjoyed
under conditions prescribed by them
and-well. there is small charge.
o, course. Naturally. they resent
the escape OF customer"
He also left the following letter
April 5.
My Dear DR.. Steiner.
This is the last act OF terrible
tragedy. | have suffered a thousand
deaths In the last three weeks. This
Is my own work. and no one Is 20
blame but myself. There Is no use
for coroner's inquest. as these facts
bear witness. | don't want TO meet
my daughter, after mourning her as
| dead for rs years. | want 20 die
with her image In my heart as a
darling little child.
Notify the county Judge OF Baker
county. have some land there
which will go 20 my dear little child.
Myrtle.
The letter was unsigned.
James Trayillion was the brother
OF former County Judge Travillion,
OF Baker county. who was In once
about ! 5 years ago.