SUICIDES IN AMERICA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 290, 19 May 1898, Page 3

SUICIDES IN AMERICA.

e> " On December 21," says the ftew York correspondent of the " Standard," " I telegraphed tbe suicide of Mr Secretary Hebert's daughter, her friend, Miss Anna Wells shot herself the day after Christmas. On January 7 Governor Waite'a daughter took poison. On January 10 Senator Blackburn's youngest daughter, Mrs Lane shot herself in her husband's presence with a revolver that had been given to her by her father. These four cases in Miss Herbert's circle has startled Washington society. No explanations can be given except that these tragedies are tho result of melancholia, and some feature suggest, what is possibly a mere coincidence, that each lady har. passed out of official society in tho course of the recent political changes. Senator Blackburn recently failed to obtain re-election because of his disagreement in regard to the public policy with Secretary Carlisle. This was followed by Mr Lane's dismissal from the Treasury, Mr Lane having taken the leave of absence which was refused him for his honeymoon." Details of a horrible affair in Jsew York are sent by the •' Telegraph's " correspondent : " Matthews, a grocer in fairly good circumstances, agreed with his wife that they must die, together with their two children, boy and girl, aged 10 and 12 respectively. Aspbxiation by gas was first considered, but was discarded as a doubtful means of destruction. The couple evidently discussed the matter all niuht. At 8 a.m. on January 17 the husb*al arose, and, taking a hatchet, proceeded to the bed of his children, who slept in the same room as himself, while his wife sat up in bed and watched him. lie first deliberately hacked the head of tho girl to piecac, and then did the same to tho boy. When both were dead ho turned to his wife, who willingly awaits the fatal blow crashed tho hatchet through her skull several times. Matthews then pulled down tho chandelier, premitting the gass to escape, and, rushing iuto another room, seized a pistol, put a bullet through his own heart, and fell down. Husband and wife left letters showing their distress.