Year: 1867

Hung Himself at MOnsOn, Mass.


From the Springfield Republican, July "a.


Ashiwara. one OF the six japanese youths who
have been perusing their studies at Monson for
several months, committed suicide by hanging
on Sunday evening. He was last seen alive
about hal-past o'clock p. NJ. on that day, not
TAR from the place where his body was found,
and probably committed the act OF selt-murder
soon after, His absence from his boarding
bouse all Sunday night reused suspicion and
alarm for his safety, and on Monday search was
commenced by number of the citlzens, and
about O'Clock in the evening, twenty-four hours
after his disappearance, his body was found
suspended from the limb of tree, in retired
spot about mile east of the village, and little
distance from the highway. Beside him on the
ground lay his hat coat, and umbrella, and
around his neck was tightly knotted a strip of
cotton cloth which he had taken with him from
his house, showing that the act was one ofmature
and deliberate premeditation. His watch was
found going, and his money safe, and all the
contents OF his pockets uDdisturbed. His last
walk on Sunday evening last was taken alone,
an unusual circumstance for the japanese, as
they generally go out in groups OF three or four,
or quite often the entire six take their strolls
together. Ashiwara also was gone from home
for long time on Saturday, on similar soli-
tary excursion, and doubtless then meditated
the act OF suicide. His body was Immediately
removed and the remains prepared in the Chris
tian order for burial, his countrymen assisting
In the sad offices. A funeral service will be
held at Monson in a day or two; but the final
disposition of the remains is not yet determined.
The cause of the act was undoubtedly extreme
depression of spirits, resulting principally
from a chronic disease which had for many
months afflicted him, and from which there was
little or no hope OF relief. The detection and
melancholy may have weighed upon the unfor-
tunate man so heavily as to produce during the
last days OF his life positive insanity, though
from his mild and retiring disposition 1t would
not have been of very decided manifestation.
Ashiwari was about thirty years old, and left
wife at his home in Yokohama, whence he came
by way of San Francisco, arriving at Monson in
November. He was sent directly to the care of
Rev. Charles Hammond, principal of the Mon
son Academy, by Rev. Mr.. Brown, the American
Missionary, while his comrades came from
Naeasaki, by way of London, ultimately 10
deceased japanese is spoken of by his instruc-
tors and acquaintances at Monson as
man of true and unusual nobility
of character, and industrious and
faithful to his duties. He was sensitive
to the last degree on all points Of honor or per-
sonal reputation and during his stay in this
country had won the esteem and sincere regard
of all whom he had come 10 contact During
the first few months of his residence at Monson,
he was often oppressed with homesckness and
earnest longing tor his native land, but had
lately seemed to overcome in a great degree
these feelings, and appeared quite contented.
turn visit to this country only day or two
since and has been summoned to Monson by q
teegraphic despatch for consultation as to the
disposal of the body OF Ashlwara. This death
among us of the stranger student from the other
side oi the globe, thousands of miles away, is q
most sad event, and doubly painful from its pc
culiar and i'm pressiVe circumstances.