Kendig, John – d. 1877

KENDIG

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:31

Suicide – The report reached us last Saturday morning of the death by suicide of Mr. John Kendig, an old and highly respected citizen of the county, residing about three miles east of Greencastle. Coroner Mitchell held as inquest and from him we learn the following particulars. Mr. Kendig has exhibited signs of mental derangement at times for the past two years, since the death of a daughter to whom he was greatly attached. About two weeks ago his family discovered that he was meditating suicide, by having a poisonous root in his room. They have been very watchful of him since and left him alone but very little. On Friday last he went to the barn to shovel over some wheat that was damp, and one of his sons went with him to keep a watch over his movements. After working together awhile Mr. K. told the son to go out and fix up the corn crib. He did so very reluctantly and as a precaution told his brother who was at work in the stable below to look after him. The brother did not and feeling somewhat assured by the father’s manner, he left the barn long enough to water a horse, and though out of his sight but a few moments, on his return he found him hanging by the neck and head.
Mr. K. was well to do in the world and there was no peculiarly embarrassment to derange his mind. It is a very sad loss to the family, and the community by whom he was deservedly held in high esteem. He leaves a wife and nine children to mourn his untimely taking off. There can be no doubt that the act was caused by his mental condition. His age was something above fifty years.
Source: The Newton Journal; October 25, 1877, page 3, col. 5