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Vinton Semi-Weekly Eagle; August 26, 1884
Suicide
William Corbett
Mr. Wm. Corbett, living three or four miles north of Vinton, and an old resident of the county, died yesterday, the 25th, a little after two o'clock, from the effects of strychnine taken from his own hand. Mr. Corbett's mind had been giving way for some weeks, and his removal to the Asylum for Insane was contemplated. Soon after taking the poison he informed his wife what he had done and requested to have his children brought to his bedside. He lived but a few minutes after the doctor's arrival.
Vinton Semi-Weekly Eagle; August 26, 1884
The funeral of Mr. William Corbett took place on Wednesday, the 27th. Services were held at the family home in Harrison township, conducted by Rev. E. H. Avery. The remains were brought to Vinton and were met at the river bridge by Vinton Lodge, No. 30 A. O. U. W., of which he was a member. Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery. The family, consisting of the widow and several children, have the profound sympathy of the community, in this dark hour of sorrow.
Vinton Semi-Weekly Eagle; Sept. 2, 1884
William Corbett was born in Carthage, New York, March 26, 1836. Died at this residence near Vinton, Ia., August 25, 1884.
He had five brothers, of whom three are still living. Two reside in New York, and one at Eldora, Iowa.
Wm. Corbett was married to Miss Hattie Lewis, at Quasqueton Iowa, April 15, 1863, where they remained over a year, and then moved to Benton County, and located on his farm north of Vinton, where their home has since been.
Of their six children , one has gone before, and five are left, who with their mother, mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate farther, and husband.
In March, 1881, Mr. Corbett was taken sick with nervous rheumatism, and for a year was helpless. He then recuperated so far as to take charge of his business, but never entirely recovered either his physical, or mental strength.
August 20, his brother-in-law, Judge Lewis, persuaded Mr. Corbett to accompany him to his home at Cherokee, hoping that a change might be beneficial; but after staying with his friend a day or two, he could not be persuaded to remain longer away from his family and returned to Vinton Friday night, and on Saturday morning walked out to his home. He seemed quite himself all Saturday, but Sabbath he was again in a state of great mental depression and remained in his room the entire day, and slept none through the night. Monday morning he ate breakfast with the family, and seemed to again act naturally. But at twelve o'clock, he asked his wife to come to his room. She did so immediately and as soon as she entered he closed the door and said, "let us pray." They kneeled and he prayed in a fervent, trustful manner, his voice being firm until in his petition, he asked God to care for and protect his family. At this point his feelings seem for the moment to overcome him, then, asking the Lord to pardon all his sins, and receive his spirit, he arose from knees, and said to his wife, "Hattie I am going to die in a few minutes - call the children." She did so, and after kissing each one affectionately, and bidding them goodby [sic] sent them from the room. Then turning to his wife he said, "now I must soon go." She tried to persuade him that it was only a fainting spell, and that he would soon feel better - but looking at her he said, "Hattie, shall I tell you all?" She assured him he should, yet never dreaming of the sad reality he about to disclose. He then said he had taken something and would soon be out of his trouble. When he saw the effect of the shock upon his wife, and she asked him why he did so, he told her that an irresistible impulse controlled him, and that for the time he deemed it best to do so, but added, "for your sake, I am sorry I did it," and "I am so worn and tired, but I shall soon be at rest!"
The physician soon arrived, but found him past the reach of human help, and at 2 o'clock the sad and weary spirit was released, and returned to a kind and merciful Creator.
Meekly, earnestly and humbly, in the fast few weeks of his life, he has come to Christ as a little child, and the promise, "I will in no wise cast you off," leaves to his friends, an assurance that he has only gone before, and will wait and watch for each of his dear ones, as the frail barks near the blissful shore of eternity.
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