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AMASA STONE,Cleveland'* Well-known Millionaire, Ina Fit of Temporary Insanity, Caused byInsomnia and Indigestion, shoots Himself Through the Heart.Cleveland, Ohio, May 13,1883.The shocking intelligence of the death of Amasa Stone, one of Cleveland’s millionaires, was circulated about the city early last evening, and caused the greatest surprise, especially among his intimate acquaintances, w'ho had seen him on the streetbut a few days previous. Many were unwilling to believe the report, but upon inquiry found it to be too true, not only with the fact of his death but the manner inwhich he died.For several years the deceased had been in very poor health, but few except his family and most intimate friends were aware of the physical suffering that he endured. Mr. Stone, for the past two monthshad been suffering from insomnia and indigestion, sometimes being totally deprived of his sleep, and rarely obtaining morethan two hours’slumber during the night.The nervous strain of course grew intense, and he became impressed with the idea that recovery was hopeless. The active nervous organism was like a bow never unstrung; then came a time when the strain was greater than the recuperative power, and it gave way. Night before last he tossed on his pillow, bereft of sleep, and did notarise the next morning. At noon he complained of feeling indescribably distressed. At two o’clock he was left alone to obtain a little sleep, if possible. No more was seen of him until four o’clock, when ho was discovered in the bathroom dead. It is believed that the fearful nervous depression resulting from the loss of sleep had temporarily dethroned his reason, and while in that condition he had shot himself through the heart. The weapon, a 32-caliber pistol, was found by his side on the floor.Mrs. Stone visited her husband’s room shortly before four o’clock, and finding it vacant, instituted a quest. Among other rooms visited was the bathroom on the first floor. The door was tried and found to be locked. Theappalling truth began to dawn upon the anxious seeker, and summoning the butler, she caused him to make his way into the room over tiie transom. The man in the dimly-lighted room found the lifeless remains of his employer. From appearances the deceased had arisen from his led, moved by thatsudden and irresistible insanity frequently attendant upon insomnia, and, partially dressing himself,took his pistol—and, going to the bathroom, his insanity culminated in self-destruction. The report of the pistol was unheard by anyone in the house. Death had occurred but a short time when the dis- | covery was made. The features of the dead man wore a calm, quiet expression, as if ho were in the peaceful slumber of an hour instead of the dreamless sleep of ages. A heart-broken wife and two daughters are left to mourn the death of the husband and father, Mrs. Samuel Mather and Mrs. JohnHay, wife of Colonel John Hay, being the only remaining children of Mr. and Mrs. Stone. Two brothers are left, A. B. Stone, of New York, who is President of the Union Iron and Steel Company, of Chicago, and Liberty Stone, of Brookfield, Mass., and a sister, Mrs. A. T. Burgess, who is at present living on Case Avenue, of this city.Amasa Stone was a man of rare constructive and mechanical ability, being the first person who designed and erected pivot drawbridges of long spans, and the first to design and erect a dome roof of a span of 150 feet, sufficient to cover throe lengths of a locomotive, with its tender. The only eight-wheeled dump gravel car in successful use was designed and put in practice byhim.
Newspaper Details
New Philadelphia Argus
New Philadelphia, Ohio, US
Thu, May 17, 1883
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
OH, USA 18 Nov 2019
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