'Suicidal mania' in the 1880s and 1890s

Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The Valley Falls New Era, dated May 27, 1893, quoted the following headlines and excerpts from a printed sermon by the Rev. James Lawrence the previous Sunday.

"The Suicidal Mania in Valley Falls, Kan."

"What is the cause of the suicidal mania in Valley Falls and vicinity? Fifteen or 20 victims in as many years. Is this simply an incident, a disgression, or is there a cause for this mania?

"The old axiom 'Every effect must have a cause' is true here as elsewhere. The mania for self-destruction is a mania that is unpleasant to contemplate, horrible in its mode, and awful in its frequency. Can we find the cause? Let us look, we may find some of them, perhaps the principle ones."

Suicides reported from 1890 to 1895 included the following:

Oct. 25, 1890 — "I.W. McCulley takes the Morphine Route."
"About noon he told his son he did not feel well and would lie down and try to sleep. Later in the day he was found. He had ended his own life. Mr. McCulley had been unfortunate in business and otherwise. He was 49 years old, leaving a wife and three children."

The New Era, Oct. 15, 1892 — "Just as we were going to press, we learn the dead (sic) body of Paul Krumery, a barber, was found in the river under the bridge, near Piazzek's Mill."

Valley Falls New Era, March 11, 1893, headlines — "George Lewis Dead," with the following story:
"He cut his throat with the blade of a pen knife. Wednesday morning, George Lewis, an old citizen of this place, and who has run the barbershop formerly owned by Paul Krumery, who committed suicide last fall, told his son Ed to take charge of the shop as he intended to take a rest from business. When he did not return home that day or night, a searching party consisting of Messrs. Dodd, Daniels, and Marsh, searched along the Northwestern Railroad Track and the river.

"Early Thursday morning, they discovered Mr. Lewis' body at a place near the river called 'Paw Paw Bend,' about one mile west of town. Mr. Lewis was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery."

This was the sixth time within a period of about three years that the Rev. A.M. Geiger was called upon to conduct services for persons who had died by their own hands.

Valley Falls New Era, May 20, 1892 — "Suicide Again."
"Our community has been startled by news of another suicide. Dr. J.S. Blackwood, our veterinary surgeon, was found by Geo. W. Williams lying in a manger in W.T. Kemper's barn. The weapon of death was a pocket knife with a blade about three inches long, which he used in his surgical work. He was apparently in the best of health and in the prime of life. No cause can be assigned for the rash act. Funeral services were held at the Christian Church, conducted by the Rev. James Lawrence. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery."

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.