Albert L. Jacobs Takes a Fatal Dose of Strychnine, With Suicidal Intent.

Albert L. Jacobs died at his home on West Lincoln street, this place, last Thursday, at about 11:10 a. m., from the effects of strychnine poison, taken with suicidal intent. Deceased was about thirty five years of age and was a son of the late Henry M. Jacobs, deceased, well known for years as a wagon-maker. Eight years ago while employed as a fireman on the Fort Wayne division of the Pennsylvania railroad, Albert Jacobs was injured in a train wreck at Crestline, O. For several months thereafter he was unable to leave his room and never regained good health. Latterly, we understand he was a sufferer from Bright's disease, which sometimes affects the mind.

On Thursday morning he did not arise from his bed, and shortly before eleven o'clock called his wife to him and calmly informed her that he had taken poison. He did not want her to summon a physician, saying that it would be no use as the poison would soon do its work. Mrs. Jacobs was horrified by the information and screamed for help. Dr. Frank Ullom was summoned by a colored man named Davidson and the operator at the central office hearing the wife's frantic calls for a physician also telephoned Dr. Harry Scott. Dr. Ullom arrived at the home only about three minutes before the patient died. He found him suffering from a convulsion, at the termination of which he inquired of Jacobs what kind of poison he had taken and what quantity and received the reply: "A nickel's worth of strychnine." An antidote was quickly administered but the patient was soon seized with another convulsion and died. He had just expired when Dr. Scott arrived.

The unfortunate man, we understand, had been worrying much of late and had intimated to several of his friends that he would commit suicide. His wife had been at the home of her father in Allegheny, Pa., for about two weeks, where she was taken ill with pneumonia, but was able to return here on Wednesday evening. On Sabbath previous, Mr. Jacobs had written the following letter to the members of the Eagles Lodge, this place:

To my Brother Eagles, Waynesburg Aerie, No. 598.

Jan. 13th, 1907, 2:30 a. m.

Dear Brothers:

If I do this terrible thing, which I have been thinking of doing tonight or tomorrow night, (God knows I have tried to drive it out of my head, but I am afraid it won't drive) I hope you will all forgive me for bringing disgrace to our Aerie. And I hope those who can will turn out and help lay me at rest.

Consult my wife in regard to the matter. Boys, I have only $75.00 in bank--the (American,) so you see I want the smallest expense possible, for I don't want my wife to have to sell any of our furniture. She will be home in two or three days. I got a message from their home today, she is a great deal better. So if she does not get here before, you can send a message to her at No. 1246 Washington Ave., Allegheny City, Pa., (that is her father's home, F. G. Hilliard.) This little picture in this letter is a picture  of my darling wife, and I wish you would fix it in a spray of roses and lay over my heart, (white roses if possible.) I guess you will have to buy me a little hole up there, boys, for I don't know if I could be laid in my father's lot or not.

I have a dark suit I wish to be buried in if possible. Thanking you all for past favors, and hoping you will all forgive me this terrible deed, I will bring this to a close.

Bert

P.S. Please hand this letter to my wife, to see if my wishes are suitable to her's. Also leave the letter with her.

Bert

On Friday morning, Dr. R. W. Norris, coroner, held an inquest. The jury summoned being: J. J. Koebert, J. W. Munnell, Geo. Silveus, G. Ed. Minor, J. R. Cross and John Hickman. They rendered a verdict that deceased, Albert L. Jacobs, came to his death from strychnine poison administered by his own hands.

Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage a few years ago, his wife being formerly Miss Carrie Hilliard, of Allegheny. Beside her, he is survived by five brothers, Matthew Jacobs, of Allegheny; Geo. B. of Washington state; Frank and J. Warren Jacobs, of Waynesburg, and Charles, of Ohio. Deceased had many friends who were saddened by the news of his death.

The funeral was held on Saturday at 2 p. m. and was largely attended. Services were conducted by Rev. F. A. Bright, of the Christian church. The Eagles lodge attended in a body, accompanied by the Waynesburg Military band, which rendered a funeral dirge as the procession solemnly moved toward Green Mount cemetery, where the remains were laid to rest."