"A Sad Affair

An Old and Wealthy Citizen Coolly and Deliberately Takes His Own Life

Jacob Smith Found In His Stable

He Makes Preparations for Death then Cuts His Throat Because 'Tired of Living'

Mr. Jacob B. Smith, an old and respected citizen, committed suicide last Tuesday by cutting his throat in a stable on his premises, South Richhill Street, this place. The announcement of the finding of his body and the news of his having taken his own life was quite a shock to our community.

Mr. Smith had formerly owned a farm and resided in Morgan township. He removed to town several years ago. His wife whose maiden name was Strawn died about five years since. He was the owner of a half-square of property on South Richhill street on which were erected the dwelling where he resided and three tenement houses. His wealth is estimated at about $10,000, having $600 in the bank at the time of his death.

On Tuesday at noon, Mr. Frank Rush, photographer, who has one of Mr. Smith's houses rented went to the stable on the property and while engaged in getting feed for his horse noticed Mr. Smith's hat and coat lying upon a manger; he could also see his feet protruding from a vacant stall and thought he was hiding from him. It was an unusual thing for Mr. Smith to be in the stable. He glanced over the stall and saw that the man's face was very white and going around the stall saw the blood that had spurted from the wound he had inflicted. Mr. Rush ran and informed Smith's brother-in-law, Samuel Strawn, who resided with Mr. Smith, then hurried for Dr. Ullom, also informing others of the occurrence. When the doctor arrived he found the man dead. A razor lay in the stall by his side and an examination showed that the carotid artery was about half severed. He had deliberately planned the terrible act. He had removed his coat and hat and it is supposed he inflicted the wound while standing. He had left the house about half-past ten that morning. After the discovery of the sad occurrence a note was found upon a stand in the house, in Mr. Smith's handwriting, of which the following is a copy:

'Mar. 31st '91

My dear friends, as I am tired of living, I want Frank Ross to settle my estate and him and Maggie to take Lizzie and take good care of her and raise her, and may God bless you.

From your father,
J. B. Smith'

Mr. Smith's family consisted of two daughters, Mrs. Frank Ross, of Homestead, Pa., and Lizzie, a little five year-old girl.

Mr. Smith was nearly sixty years of age. He was crippled in one leg from a stiff joint at the knee, but he was a man who had never complained. He seemed to find great comfort in his little daughter, as they were nearly always together. No one would have suspected that he would ever take his own life, comfortably circumstanced as he was and having almost lived out the allotted time of man. On Monday evening he had attended a donation reception given by the members of the Baptist church to their pastor Rev. W. M. Ryan, and seemed to enjoy himself. He was not a member of church. It is reported that he had recently been attacked with la grippe and that he committed the act under a fit of mental aberration resulting from this.

He was a brother of Culver Smith, and half-brother of Craven Smith, well-known citizens of Center township, and had a number of other more distant relatives.

Coroner Kent was notified by Mr. Frank Rush and held an inquest over the body, the jury consisting of Rev. A. W. White, foreman, Rev. A. J. Meek, Geo. Dulaney, J. R. Cross, J. W. Munnell and C. S. McClelland. They rendered a verdict that the man came to his death by his own hands.

Mr. Smith's daughter at Homestead was notified by telegraph. His funeral will take place Thursday afternoon."