Brown - Solon
SOLON H. BROWN
Source: Crawfordsville Star, Jan 4, 1883 p 8
The reported suicide of Solon H. Brown on Tuesday afternoon caused a general thrill of surprise, and it was difficult indeed for people to give credence to the report. Shortly after one o’clock, however, word was received by Coroner Ensminger that Mr. Brown had committed suicide, and this official accompanied by deputy BR Russell visited the comfortable residence of the deceased, situated about 5 miles from the city and on the New Richmond road. The first witness examined by the coroner was Elijah C. Brown, father of the deceased. From his evidence herewith printed the most important facts connected with the suicide are presented. It is known that Solon Brown climbed up on a binder machine and passing a heavy rope overhead around a beam in the barn shed, made a slip noose in the other end which had an iron hook on it by looping the rope through the hook. He slipped this around his neck and swung off. He literally strangled to death. Elijah C. Brown testified as follows: “I live near Waynetown and the deceased was my son. I went to his house on Monday evening January 1st. He had no appetite I noticed at breakfast the next morning and did not start out as usual to do his work about the farm. He said he wanted to have a private talk with me and requested the folks to remain in the kitchen while we had a talk. They did so. The subject of our conversation was his financial matters. He said he was afraid he would no longer be able to make a living for his family; that he had been paying interest all of his married life; but that he was now getting broke down and the load was too heavy to bear. At a later hour he went to feed his stock and I went along to help him. At 9 o’clock, I went to Mr. Hughes’ and Solon sent a small sum of money by me to pay Mr. Zook a debt. I came back about noon and passed the barn, I saw two buckets setting by the door, they have been used in swilling the hogs. On finding Solon there I became uneasy on account of the way he had talked in the morning and I went into the barn to look for him. I went into the shed part but saw o one, I looked over then to the left and in the passage way near the corn crib I saw my son hanging to a beam by the neck. I at once cut the rope and let the body to the ground. Life was extinct when I reached him, though the body was still warm. I am satisfied from all the circumstances that my son committed suicide while laboring under an aberration of the mind. Last night was the first time I ever had any fears of his mental condition. I thought I could get him all right again by assisting him in money matters and intended to do so.” The coroner rested the inquest till after the funeral, after the examination of this one witness. Mr. Brown was 38 years of age and was a reasonably stout and robust man. He was not more in debt than some other men who are not discouraged by any means. He was liked and an esteemed and honored man by all who knew him. He leaves a wife and four children. - transcribed by kbz
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Source: Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana 3 January 1883 p 2
Solon A. Brown, living near New Richmond, Montgomery County, committed suicide yesterday by hanging. Cause despondency.