Horrible Suicide
Obituary, Norfolk, VA - June
4, 1869
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In Monday's issue
we published a short paragraph in relation to the supposed suicide of
an old man named JAMES WATTS, residing at Bowers' Hill. He left his
residence on Tuesday, 25th of May, with the avowed intention of committing
suicide. He said the would neither shoot nor drown himself, but that
he would take his life in some other manner. His friends did not regard
the threat, as he was this suffering from a cancer in his face, and
lameness in one of his feet, and they supposed it was merely the result
of his bodily agony that caused him to make the remark. But his prolonged
absence excited the fear that he had carried out what they at first
regarded an unmeaning threat and they instituted immediate search for
him. Their fears met a fearful realization. Yesterday morning his body
was found in the swamp near Bowers' Hill, suspended by a rope yarn,
from the limb of a tree, horribly mutilated by birds of prey. He was
found by Mr. Henry Hennicke, a county surveyor, who was untiring in
his search for the missing man. He says the appearance of the body when
found was truly awful and heart sickening. It was hanging about three
feet from the ground, one foot missing and his jawbone entirely gone.
Mr. Hennicke called the others engaged in the search to his assistance,
who took the body of the unfortunate man down and carried it to his
home, to await a coroner's inquest. Mr. H. informs us that he passed
the place where he found the body on Thursday morning last, and therefore
thinks that he hung himself on Thursday night, and that the body had
remained there since that time undiscovered. As before stated Mr. WATTS
was suffering extreme bodily pain, and this caused him to violate the
laws of his Maker, and take his own life. He was 65 years of age, and
enjoyed the friendship of a number of persons in the section where he
lived. Mr. WATTS leaves a family to mourn his unfortunate death. Mr.
Hennicke was endeavoring yesterday to secure the services of a coroner,
in order that an inquest might be held at once, and the body interred.
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Donated by Cupid In Hell
 Dreadful Sentiments... |
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