Death Mask 1880

Attempt of a Young Lady to Commit Suicide

Attempt of a young lady to Commit suicide

--She is made very Sick, but does not Die.--In one of our most flourishing suburban villages, a young man has recently established himself in the apothecary business, with a good degree of success. A short time since, a daughter of one of the most prominent citizens of the place called upon him, and said she wanted to buy some strychnine. He looked at her, and noticing marks of confusion in her countenance, had a vague suspicion of something wrong. He accordingly answered by an evasive question, as to whether she knew that apothecaries were not allowed to sell poison, telling her that if she would bring the prescription of a physician it would be all right. She answered, with a smile, that she only wanted to kill a cat; that she was somewhat attached to the animal, hated to kill it, and therefore would like something that would cause as little pain as possible, but would be sure death. 

The apothecary did not like to offend the young lady, but still had his suspicions. He accordingly mixed a preparation and gave it to her. As he suspected, she went home, took it, was very sick, and finally, calling her father, told him she was tired of this world, had taken strychnine, and had only a few minutes to live. The father, after much persuasion, obtained the name of the apothecary and rushed to him. The latter received him without emotion, and in response to the anxious parent's inquiries, told him the circumstances, and explained that he had given her a dose which would only produce a very nauseating, and perhaps beneficial effect. This proved true, the young lady, who was only about 17 years of age, being made very sick, and now having recovered entirely.

Source:  Richmond Daily Dispatch, November 2, 1860

A Man Burns Himself to Death

Horrible suicide

--A Man Burns Himself to Death.--The suicide of James Black, an innkeeper at New Berwick, Canada, by burning, has been mentioned. The Journal gives the particulars of this terrible case of self-destruction: 

Black had kept a tavern for some twenty years in Puslinch; about a year ago, in one of his fits of the "blues," he beat his wife till her life was despaired of, but, through great care, she recovered. He rented the tavern and removed to Mount Forest and started in business as a butcher, which did not prosper with him. A few months ago he removed to Clinton, on the line of the Buffalo and Huron railway, where his family are at present. He came here on Saturday week, and at first appeared very unsettled, and told some of his acquaintances that this would be the last time they would meet — they had better shake hands. The week passed on till Saturdaymorning, when he was noticed going into a field where some boys were burning brush, and sat down on the burning pile till all his clothes were burned off him. The boys gave the alarm, when two persons came and dragged him off, but he still persisted in going on. They tried to take him off a second time, but he threatened them, when one ran for assistance, and with some others, got him off, but he still wanted to remain on, saying that was his doom. He was then entirely roasted, not a particle of clothing remaining on him. He bore it all without any signs of torture, and lingered on for about eight hours, when death came to his relief.

Source:   Richmond Daily Dispatch, November 2, 1860