Person:Benjamin Shuff (10)

"A Youthful Suicide -- Benjamin Shuff a boy 14 years old, son of Mr. William Shuff, residing about two miles north of Wolfsville, in this Valley, committed suicide between 9 and 10 o'clock Thursday morning of last week, by hanging himself in an old stable on the premises occupied by the family. Mr. Shuff, with his two oldest son's, left home some two months ago for the West, and settling in Tiffin, Ohio, had made arrangements for the balance of his family to follow him in August next.Benjamin wished to accompany his father and brothers, but being compelled to remain at home became greatly dissatisfied. On the day of the suicide Benjamin and a younger brother were ordered by their step-mother to go out in the mountain and gather some bean poles. Taking a hatchet, and a long strap belonging to a bridle, the boys left the house and started on their errand. Arriving at an old log bond on the premises, Benjamin climbed on the top of the logs at the side of the threshing floor, and taking a jews harp from his pocket asked his little brother if he should play him a tune. Receiving an affirmative answer,he began to play, and so continued to do for some time. Finally he took the strap from his pocket and asked his brother if he should hang himself, and receiving and an answer, "Oh no, don't do that," but he declared he would, and so saying proceeded to fasten one end of the strap to a rafter above his head, and looping the other around his neck,deliberately pushed himself off the log on which he was sitting. His little brother, after witnessing his first few struggles, endeavored to rescue him by pushing a rail through the logs on which his feet might rest, but failing in this, ran to the house and gave the alarm. Before any aid could reach him, however, he was dead, and we understand that his body was allowed to hand for several hours, while the jury was being summoned by Justice Myers, which rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts. It is a rare occurrence for one so young to commit such a fearful deed."

1. ↑ Obituary. (further information available upon request).
2. ↑ Obituary. (further information available upon request).
3. ↑ Obituary. (further information available upon request).
4. ↑ James McHugh. Jim McHugh -email. (April 2005)
   clipping from the Hagerstown "Torch Light".
5. ↑ suicide by hanging