Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1891-10-03 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

DREADFUL SCENE AT NIAGARA.  BUICIDD OP A LADY.  The passengers on a Western express train from Chicago to Buffalo were the witnesses the other day of • terrible tragedy—the suicide of Mrs. Dell Rathburn, a well-known society woman of Buffalo, who jumped from a train into Niagara River, 200 ft. below, and was drowned. Mrs. Rathburn had been visiting tbe family of Dr. William Buck, in Chicago, for some weeks, and on Sunday she suddenly disappeared. The lady had been acting queerly for some days, and had threatened to drown herself, so that immediately upon her disappearance her friends at once began to search for her, and orders were given to drag Lake Michigan. But Dr. Buck received a letter on Monday from Mrs. Rathburn, saying that she had left his house intending to drown herself, and gone to the lake for that purpose: she had changed her mind, however, she said, and had decided to return to Buffalo. Dr. Buck immediately telegraphed to the lady's friend, to meet her at the railway station in New York, saying that he feared she was suffering from nervous prostration. In accordance with this despatch, a large number of friends gathered in the New York Central Railway station to meet the train upon which Mrs. Rathburn Tres expected. When the train arrived she was not found among the passenger., but it was learned that a woman exactly answering to her description had jumped from the train when it slowed at Niagara for tke purpose e permitting the pascengers to view the Falls. A mourning ring, three bracelet., sod several diamond ornaments were found on her seat in the train, and were identified as the property of Mrs. Rathburn.  A passenger, occupying the seat next to that of the unfortunate lady, isaid that when the train stopped as usual, Mrs. Rathburn left her place and hurried out upon the platform, mid as the passengers often do this in order to get a better view of the Falls she was not stopped. She then leaped from the train over the line and ran down the incline towards Cedar Island. She fell several time., but got up and rushed to the brink, from which she plunged into the river. AU this took place in full view of the passengers, who were unable to prevent the suicide. The body was subeequently recovered and sent to Buffalo. Mrs. Rathburn has lately been much agitated with regard to her stepson, who has been in an insane asylum several time. and was again showing symptom. of insanity. Her father had also been insane.— Daktiel.  ia &Med that the French Bishope have received instructions to send in reports of the growth of Socialism in their diocese.. It is added that it is improbable that the Vatican Council will again be convoked ia 1893, and that, apart from questions of internal discipline, relations of Capital and Labour will be dimmed by the Bishops of the Catholic world with a view to reasserting the oonstraction of Christian moiety. BUSINICHS in the London fsehionable marriage market promisee to be unusually stair°. One leading confectioner received in one day last month no fewer than 38 order, for brides' mikes, to be delivered daring September.