Tapp - Samuel
Source: Crawfordsville Star, April 12, 1883 p 8
Samuel Tapp made a successful attempt at suicide on Tuesday evening, by severing the carotid artery with a long bladed penknife. Between five and six o'clock he started to walk from this city to the farm residence of his son, Oscar Tapp, who lives on the Concord Pike, six miles NE of the city. Just before dark his son, Oscar, Joseph Penrod and Nelson Cunningham saw him enter the Methodist Church, a few rods from his son's residence. He was in there only a few minutes and then came out and sat down on the church steps at the entrance. Oscar had started to the church by this time, and on reaching the steps he noticed blood on his father's clothing and exclaimed: "Why father, what's the matter?" The old gentleman faintly murmurdered, "Well, Oscar," and fell forward on the church steps dead. His lifeless body was taken to the residence of his son Oscar, where Coroner Ensminger yesterday viewed the body, to find that the deceased had committed suicide, while insane, under circumstances already given. His throat had only been cut at the carotid artery and bore no other marks of violence, except a few bruises on one side of the face caused by his fall upon the church steps. The funeral will be held at the residence of Oscar Tapp tomorrow at 10 o'clock. It will be remembered that about a year ago Mr. Tapp first showed symptoms of insanity in attempting to kill his estimable wife. He was sent to the asylum for treatment and sent home as cured. He was 80 years of age, and had been a resident of the county 42 years. He was a man of means which he had secured by hard work and frugal living. He was a conscientious member of the Methodist Church, having joined several years since under the revival efforts of Rev. TS Webb. He leaves a wife and three children, all of grown estate, Mrs. James F. Boots and Oscar and George Tapp. The cause of his insanity was never known, except that he said he was tired of trouble and of life and wanted to die. :( Transcribed by kbz