Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1912 — HARRISON WASSON DIES BY TAKING CARBOLIC ACID. [ARTICLE]

HARRISON WASSON DIES BY TAKING CARBOLIC ACID.

Owner of Prospering Bw Line in Fit Of Despondency Took Fatal Quaff At His Home. Probably the saddest case of selfdestruction that ever occurred in Rensselaer and one that apparently had the least motive behind it, occurred this Monday morning, shortly before 7 o’clock and took the life of an industrious and honorable citizen, whose happy disposition seemed to make such an act impossible. The victim was Harrison Wasson, proprietor of the Wasson bus line, who, apparently in the best of health and spirits, with a prosperous business, a fine family, the respect of the people of the community and with a bright future before him, sat upon the bed in his room and, in the presence of two of his children, drank the contents of a 2-ounce vial of earbolic acid. Death resulted almost instantaneously. Mr. Wasson arose early and after hitching up his bus team drove to the early morning train. W. F. Frye, who works for him, also made the train and they arranged their calls for the milk train. It was planned for both to make that train, Mr. Frye to go to the hotel and take care of the city calls and JHarrison to go after Earl Bruner, on the county farm road. Mr. Wasson, so Mr. Frye says, acted Just as he always did aiyl if there was any~ reason for him feeling other than all right, be gave no evidence of it. Shortly before 7 o’clock he went to the barn for his team and stopped at the house, leaving the team stand in front while he went inside. The family were so distracted by the terrible affair that members of it could not be interviewed, but from what we are able to learn he went at once to a m ■■■ room upstairs and sat upon the side of the bed and poured the contents of the deadly acid into bis mouth. Two of his daughters are said to have been witnesses of the act. They cried out for help and soon all the members of the family were in tears and their wailing attracted the attention of Marshal George Mustard, who happened to be passing the house. He rushed In and to the room where the act had been committed. The victim breathed bpt a time or two after Mr. Mustard reached the room. A'call had been made for Dr. English but death had occurred before he arrived. Rev. W. G. Winn, a neighbor, also attracted by the crying in the home, also went to the bouse, arriving there about the time he died. Before the arrival of the physician several measures were undertaken to stop the work of the acid. Vasaline, milk and beaten eggs were forced into bis mouth, but ft availed nothing. A half hour later when the body was viewed by a reporter for The Republican, the lips were slightly burned, the ears had turned black and his face was turning black. Coroner Wright was called and responded a short time later. He was able to pronounce the death as suicide and will probably hold no inquest Mr. Wasson is the father of ten children, all living. The six older are girls, then two boys, and then two girls. He has lived in Jasper county for a number of years, residing on. farms until about .three years ago when he purchased the city bus line -of Frank Kresler. The business had been excellent and it was said that he was making a splendid living for his large family, while several of bis daughters were also employed so as. to be self supporting, two of them being teachers In the schools of the county. His financial affairs, therefore, had nothing to do with prompting his rash deed. He was in splendid health, of unusual physical strength and always cheerffil and friendly. These things make a solution of his deed very difficult Apparently, however, be had planned the get for some time, for the bottle of acid, which he used had been purchased from A. F. Long’s drug store some time ago. Neither Mr. Long nor his clerk, Bert Brenner, could remember when the drug was sold to him. The label on the bottle was slightly discolored as though be had been carrying it In his pocket for some time. Probably be has been suffering in some unknown way and had been subject to despondent moments that prompted him to take his life, _ ; ■ ? Mr. Wasson was about 44 years of age. He came here from Union City, where his parents, who occasionally visited him, still live. He is a second cousin of Capt J. M. Wasson. He was a splendid provider for his family and had given his children the advantage of a good education and it was to provide for this that he moved from the country to town. Not only had he cared abundantly for his Dually, but

he had also provided for their future, having carried $4,000 insurance. Of this $2,000 was In tbe Modern Woodmen Of America and $2,000 in the Northwestern. He had carried this insurance only about two years. It is not probable tfiat-the collection of either will be jeopardized because of suicide. Mr. Wasson was a member of .the Knights of Pythias and also of the Modern Woodmen lodges. The funeral will probably take place Wednesday.