Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-12-27

Two homes near Ottawa have bpcu
darknned by death in its most tragic
form suicides prompted by deapoud.
ency and the aftermath OF Christmas
happnca are responsible for the Sor-
-pws which have invaded the families
OF James NJ Smith, of Malseillos and
August Frarng, Of Serena, both Of
whom we're found within the past =
hours dead by their own hands.
MarscilIcs Man Suicide.
Marheilles, Dec q uSperiall
Yuletide and the JOY il brought to
others only exaggerated the mlSlor
tunes of James NJ smith. 6b, who
eight wears ago was compelled to re
tire from active work by injuries re
Ceived in a mine accident rms
morning the body of Smith the throat
hearing "a wide gaping wound was
found surrounded by its own blood
in the home OF Fred and William, ms
sons, in Matchtown
The wound. together with the large
blotch Of red upon the carpet told
the story of Smiths early morning
determination to end it all while mem
hers o. his family enveIOped III sleep.
were unconscious of the struggle
raging within his tnrmentcd body as
the decision to die was arrived at ana
the hurried preparations tor the cnd
were completed.
A razor, which he had used for
shaving was secured and without
waiting to return to his bedroom ON
the first floor Of the house, Smith
made quick slash at his throat
That he struggled to keep his feet
while blood spurtod from the cash Il
indicated by the sound OF something
falling which reached the ears OF
Fred was asleep upstairs and Ff"d S
hurried dash down to the dining
room to ascertain the trouble, only
irl the parent gasping his last
few breaths. followed quicNly b$
Smiths passing.
Testimony gwen at The inquest
held at II O'Clock this morning MAJ
Gated that the deceased for some
time had broodod over his becoming
a burden to the sons since I9l l.
when he was caught under tali o.
dirt in the Marseillcs mine Smith SUI
fered badly injured spine tbs con
ditiOn was such he could not work
and the fact that he was dependent
upon the boys for a livIihood prcN"d
upon his mind until he became OBJ
sessed with the idea of suicide.
Christmas came along and instead
Of bringing JOY il only Increased the
depression and meIancholia under
which he laborcd for several weeks
past
After the inquest which took place
at the scene of the tragedy, the cor.
oner's jury returned a verdict OF sui
eide while dcspondent.
The deceased was a resident OF
Marseiles for thirty-fiva years or
more. He was a native of New York
and up to the time he was imrapac'
itated from rurthcr work by the ac
cident of 1911 worked as coal
miner.
He Is survived by two sons, Fred
and William.
Last spring Mrs Smith was sun
mOned by her maker. Thc dcalh OF
his helpmcct only helped to heap NJ
troubles which the aged man permit
ted to deprcss him. He griovcd al
most constantly from the day of his
mates passing. and no effort on the
part of the sor~ could cheer him up
Hangs Self With Rope.
Serena, Dec. 27--( Special --Usinf
rope two feet long as moose, Aug
ust Fraring. farmer residing on the
Retz homestead, one mile south o
Serena. late yesterday killed himself
The unfortunate man had been in ii
health for the past two weeks, ant
It is supposed that his act was com
mitted while worrying over his phys
ical condition. A short time before
committing his rash act, he visited
the office of a Serena physician TO
medical treatment.
His lifeless body was found in tn
buggy shed near the barn by a small
niece who had been sent out to loOl
for him One end of the rope wa
fastened to II low beam. while foo
lower was the moose holding his neck
Fraring was kneeling, the beam be
ing so low that he could not strangl
himself in an upright position. II
was just as he had returned from