Frank M. McFarlin

MCFARLIN

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 8/25/2014 at 16:14:50

SUICIDE IN CHICAGO.

In Chicago Sunday morning Frank M. McFarlin, a brother of W.K. McFarlin of this city, who was in the Indian Territory on C.R.I. & P. business, shot himself through the heart with suicidal intent, leaving the following letter and postscript written in pencil on the back.

Lexington Hotel--Notify board of trade. Letter addressed to the public, I have tried and failed so often since I came on the board that I am at last disheartened and give up. This act may look cowardly, but, thanks to some more generous people, opinions differ on this subject. No one knows what death is but the one who uses it as the only escape from fat. I met defeat again yesterday, which was more than I could endure, and I wish to warn all honest men to beware of the board of trad.

My heart is too heavy, my brain too intoxicated to write any more Good-bye everybody.

FRANK M. McFARLIN.

I had intended doing this act yesterday, but that I saw hope of getting some money with which to fix my losses but was again disappointed, and herewith I die.

Mr. McFarlin was not unknown in Davenport. He was a temperate man and very popular. His friends would gladly have pulled him through his slight financial troubles if he had applied to them.

Source: Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, IA 19 March 1895.