Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1915-09-03
ENDS HIS LIFE IN
TRAGIC MANNER
Oryille q. Smith Throws Self In
Front of Motor Car Near Pull
man-Head Severed From
Body

Oryille C. Smith, son of Mrs. H. S.
Smith, 512 South Mcclellan street,
anokane, ended his life here last Fri
day by throwing himself in front O,
the O.-W. r. & N. motor car to Co.
fax. about one and one-half miles
vest of Pullman. The young man,
who was 27 years of age, chose
point on q sharp curve to take his
life, presumably SO that he would not
be noticed by the motorman until too
late to stop the train. The motor
man saw Smith standing near the
track and sounded warning whistle
When within about 20 or 80 feet of
the young man, he suddenly plunged
forward, with his neck across the
rail- and, although the emergency
brakes were applied instantly, the
wheels passed over his neck, sever
hg the head completely from the
Mdy. The body was brought to
nmball's undertaking parlors, ana
kilograms were at once sent to the
young mans mother, whose address
was ascertained through the return
card on the wrapping of q package
found lying near the track.
That Smith was partially dement,
cd Is indicated by notes found on his
person, In which mention was mado
Of some trouble which was bothering
him. One note, written on the back
Of an envelope, was as follows;
Dearest Mother and Folks:
This trouble Is driving ME crazy.
l can't stand 1t. l am always doing
something wrong. I'm going 10 give
up this game of life. Go1 bless you
all and her. Love to you all.
Your son,
"ORVILLE."
AS postscript was added the fol-
lowing:
Il imagine somebody is after me.
can hear voices always calling. o,
may God forgive me for my past, and
ior whatever l may have done,
whether in right mind or wrong.
everything seems wrong. | can see
nights all the time. Even the stars
jump. Please Bury me in Earl suit,
ana please forgive me. Earl's suit
received today, and when go l
VIII try and have it on. God alone
knows how miserable l am and how
have tried to control myself. Every
little noise scares me-"
On the back of a letter from his
mother was written these words:
Mother Dear: / can hear your
voice calling to me as though you are
IN the agony of death. If l could
only be with you now. Give pocket
knife to Cuff"
Inc following message was written
On the back Of another envelope.
one Of my suit cases and some
SACKS are In the office Of John Poe,
ruiinan, and the other at the Arte-
sian hotel, Pullman. o, how my
aead aches. If could only shut out
these hideous noises"
Smith was we'll known In Pullman,
anu was cousin of Roy Smith, form
ery proprietor of the Model Bakery.
ne mad worked on different Jobs
A'ouno town. This spring he worked
VI the farm of Max Hinrichs, leaving
'"ere about the Fourth of July to
"ork In harvest. He went to Lewis
w. later going to Moscow, and re-
'u'ned to Pullman the Monday pre-
..ous 10 his death. According to Mr..
nr'cns' Smith was an exceptionally
eooo workman, and very kind heart
", taxing a deep interest in the Hin
.' ons children, and often buying them
niue things to make them happy. He
aS separated from his wife. who re-
ues In Walla Walla, and this
ouoie Is thought by some to have
en the cause of his rash action.
PREVIOUS to coming to Pullman last
0eA smith worked with threshing
30" near Moscow, and is said by
enoers of the crew to have gotten
o some kind of trouble in Moscow
'nough the nature of the trouble
u'o not be ascertained. Smith had
- cents In his pockets. as we'll az
rs from his mother, sister
and brother.
smiths mother. and his brother.
law Edgar Mangus of Creston. ar
eo In Pullman Saturday noon and
sompanied the body back to spo-
"~nes where IL Uaa hu~iad unudav