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


Smith, 512 South Mcclellan street,
spokane, ended his life here last Fri
aay by throwing himself in front O;
the O.-W. r. & N. motor car to Co.
fax. about one and one-half miles
west of Pullman. The young man,
Who was 27 years of age, chose a
noint on q sharp curve to take his
life, presumably SO that he would not
he 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 % 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 d package
found lying near the track.
That Smith was partially dement,
ed Ia 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.
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:
i imagine somebody Is after me.
can hear voices always calling. o,
may God forgive me for my past, and
Tor whatever may have done,
whether In right mind or wrong
everything seems wrong. l can see
lights all the time. Even the stars
Jump. Please bury me in Earrs suit.
and please forgive me. Earl's suit |
received today, and when l go l
Will try and have it on. God alone
Knows how miserable l am and how
nave tried to control myself. Every
little noise scares me-"
On the back of letter from his
mother was written these words:
Mother Dear: l 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
IN the back of another envelope.
one of my suit cases and some
sacKs are In the office of John Poe,
luiiman, and the other at the Arte-
siAn hotel, Pullman. o, how my
asaa aches. II could only shut out
tasse hideous noises"
smith was we'll known in Pullman,
.lu was a cousin of Roy Smith, form
"" proprietor of the Model Bakery
NO mad worked on different Jobs
0uno town. This spring he worked
Inc tarm Of Max Hinrichs, leaving
uere about the Fourth of July to
otA IN harvest. He went to Lewis.
W. 'ater going to Moscow, and re.
aeo to Pullman the Monday pre-.
0us to his death. According to Mr.
arichs' Smith was an exceptionally
'.Ou workman, and very kind heart.
~ "King deep interest in the Hin.
~, children, and often buying them
Ne Things to make them happy. He
y, ss separated from his wife, who re.
s In Walla Walla, and this
s. suoie Is thought by some to haw
"a the cause of his rash action.
0vious to coming to Pullman last
go 20 smith worked with a threshine
nv ~ near Moscow, and is said by
~. Oers of the crew to have gotter
,,.s some kind of trouble in Moscow
COW, ousn the nature of the troubl,
AZ not be ascertained. Smith haC
l.,, ssnts In his pockets, as we'll al
AID brother.
n 'ns mother. and his brother
r,. Edgar Mangus of Creston, ar
49,. IN Pullman Saturday noon anc
l a. the body back to spo
where IL was huriad Eooaav