Rochester, Monroe, NY

Union & Advertiser

Tue Feb 28, 1871

 

SUICIDE IN BYRON

 

A Man Cuts His Throat From Ear to Ear

 

(Byron, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1871)

     The people of this place were this morning startled by the announcement that Henry GUENTHER, a German, had committed suicide. Last autumn his wife died, leaving him six children, the eldest being only 12 years, since which time he has at periods shown signs of insanity, occasioned undoubtedly by this loss and by being harassed by this burden of little children, for whom he had a great love.

     About two weeks ago he let an estimable family in Clarendon have two of them.

     This morning Mr. DAVIS went over to GUENTHER's house, and while there, he saw him go out to the barn, but noticed nothing unusual in his manner, and consequently suspected nothing of what was to follow.

     Mr. DAVIS, after doing his errand, left and had been gone but a short time when one of the little girls, desiring something at the barn, went there and beheld the ghastly spectacle of her father with a razor in his hand, this throat cut from ear to ear, weltering in his blood. She immediately ran after Mr. DAVIS, and approaching him exclaimed, "Father has killed himself !"  Mr. DAVIS accompanied the girl back, and on nearing the place saw GUENTHER coming from the barn toward the house, bleeding profusely - a most horrid sight indeed. He reached the door, where he fell, being so weakened by the loss of blood. Two doctors were soon on hand, who are, as I write, doing all possible for him, but they have no hope of saving him, the cut being so severe.

     How curious life ! How different constituted and organized are we who are placed here to enjoy it?  While some resort to doctoring, traveling, in short to everything that they may remain here; others, like this poor, honest, but unfortunate man, weary and tired and sick of this life, leap of their own accord into the unknown future.

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