Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1909 — W. 0. HIATT ENDS LIFE AT FRANKFORT. [ARTICLE]

W. 0. HIATT ENDS LIFE AT FRANKFORT.

Recently Made Superintendent of Frankfort Schools He Seemed to Doubt His ’Ability. Rensselaer was shocked Thursday evening to learn that early that mornirig Prof. W. D. Hiatt, for several years prior to four years ago, the principal of the Rensselaer high school, had committed suicide by taking carbolic acid at Frankfort, Ind. Prof. Hiatt was the principal of the schools here prior to going to Frankfort, and was one of the most popular educators this city has ever had. He resigned his position here some four and a half years ago to take a better position at Frankfort, which he has continued to hold since that time, until his elevation to the position of superintendent of the schools of that city less than a month ago. The many acquaintances of Prof. Hiatt and his family in this city were shocked by the news of his act. However, many of his closest friends recall that he was subject to despondent spells, during which times he* seemed to gather the idea that it would be impossible for him to succeed. The particulars of his rash act are contained in the following telegraphic account to the Indianapolis News: Professor W. O. Hiatt,' superintendent of the Frankfort schools, a position to which he was elected less than a month ago, killed himself at the First ward school building this morning'by taking carbolic acid. He was found in the basement by the janitor of the building. He left home about 2 o’clock without indicating to his wife that he intended to kill himself. He had been a teacher in the local schools for the last four years, and when Superintendent Monroe resigned he was chosen as his successor. He was born in Hamilton county. Worry over the position he held and the fact that school was to begin Monday is thought to have prompted Kim to take his life. He evidently lacked faith in his own ability to fill the position. \ For some time teachers in the public schools, and the members of the city school board, had noticed that Professor Hiatt appeared to be greatly worried over matters pertaining to the schools, and the nearer the time came for the opening of the schools the more he worried. The buying of school supplies was the source of great worry to him, and he frequently asked members of the school board if they were satisfied with his work and if he was doing all right. On Monday Professor Hiatt telephoned to Professor Frank Long and asked him to come to his office at the Carnegie library and then told him to remain there until he told him to leave. Professor Long was there for more than two hours, but nothing particular was said by either man. The first examinations to be held at the opening of the schools seemed to prey on the mind of Professor Hiatt also. Yesterday he called one of the professors and told him he was distressed over a half gallon of paint he had bought. When he left hiß office last night Hiatt told his private secretary, Mrs. Russell, that in case anything happened to him and he was not there in the morning she would find the bids for some coal for the schools on hip desk. The carbolic acid which Professor Hiatt swallowed was purchased by him two weeks ago at tbe Hammond drug store, so the act must have been under contemplation for some time. He left his home about 2 o’clock this morning. His wife awakened at that hour and missed him. She was not uneasy, however, as he frequently got up in the night, being unable to sleep. When she arose at 5 he had not returned, and when she had breakfast ready she went to the First ward school building near by to look for him but failed to find him. It was two hours later before his body was discovered by the Janitor. Professor Hiatt had been connected with the Frankfort schools for five years, coming here from Rensselaer, going to that place from Anderson, where he had taught for two years. He was a graduate of Indiana university, and in the local school took an active interest in football, being coach and manager of the high school team. A widow and one child survive. He was I a member of the Methodist church.