The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-10-10


tations Of the peculiar and almost In
applicable suicide mania that is now
sweeping the whole Of the country,
selling upon young and old, rich and
poor, lowly and high-borp. In St. Pc
tersburg alone there Is an average Of
is suicides a day. Moscow records
about the same number, and the 9TH
er big Russian cities are not far be-
hind. Efforts have been made in
vain to check the tendency. Anti-sui-
eide societies by the dozen have
made their appearance, but despite
the constant efforts of such organi-
zations as the League of Life and
the Anti-Suicide League, the daily rec
ord of suicides increases alarmingly.
So serious has the situation become in
this city that the Prefecture Of Police
has offered a reward Of $3.50 for ev-
cry rescue and many of the unem-
ployed assemble every day on the
banks Of the Neva and the canals on
the lookout for attempted suicides
One watcher placed three rescues to
his credit in as many days.
Because Of the pledge Of secrecy
which binds the members of the Sui
eide Club details of its organization
are difficult to get. Who founded it.?
Who is the president? Some declare
1t is one of the grand dukes, though
the younger( generation of imperial
cousins show too mach good sense
and too much zest for life to play
such q role, and the older ones are
far too dignified. Others declare
that the famous Russian novelist,
Artzy bascheff, is the founder and
president and the instigator OF the
more original suicides. He has writ
ten many books which condemn life
as something like sin, and extol self
destruction as heroic action. He has
been fined by the tribunals for writ
ing books of pernicious influence, and
he openly advocates many kinds of
vice, which he makes as attractive as
possible. His great talent makes his
books all the more dangerous. Never.
theless, there is no sure proof that he
has any direct influence on suicides,
or has ever helped the club to gather
In Its harvest Of victims. And though
1t Is now an established institution
its origin and members list is as deep
mystery as possible.
This mysterious club holds It's meet
ings at the homes OF the members.
Many fashionable people belong to 1t,
and women with family OF growing
children, elderly men with the best
part of their lives behind them,
young women with good chance OF
happiness gather round the table
where the fatal lots are drawn. One
card is prepared for each meeting.
The member who draws it must kill
himself within a week, the club de-
Gliding as to the method, if the mem
Der cannot think Of a suitable way.
Members must court death out OF
mere curiosity, or as means Of show
ing some novel way Of leaving the
world. Common poisons are tabooed.
Drowning is admitted only when wine
or perfumed water is used and the
surroundings are exceptionally beau
tiful or luxurious. The simple empty
ing gof a revolver into one's body is
not good enough. Shooting must be
artistic" or left severely alone.
These suicides take place with lot.
of pomp. in the case Of the young
Baroness Zakomelska supper was
given to the Petersburg members. At
the end, huge tub was filled with
champagne, and the lady drowned
herself in it. after all present had