The Journal Leon, Iowa December 13, 1883 Our citizens were startled yesterday morning by the report that FRANK SAMSON aged 20 years, son of Rev. SETH SAMSON, of Franklin Township, had committed suicide by cutting his throat, while in a state of insanity. The facts are bad enough, but not so bad as that. It appears that young SAMSON, who, until the last month, had been blessed with splendid health, and was a fine specimen of manhood, physically and mentally, became so unwell that he gave up the school he commenced about two weeks ago, and returned home on Saturday last, and has since been confined to the home. Tuesday evening about half past six o'clock, while his father and John Barrickman were in the room with him, he insisted on going out a few moments. They tried to persuade him not to, but he insisted so strongly that they consented. As soon as he had gone out Barrickman followed. As he opened the door he saw SAMSON bound over the front fence, without touching it, and start up the road. -- Barrickman followed, but could not catch up with him until he had run to Bullard's nearly a mile. As R. Came up SAMSON struck at him a knife, and had some trouble in warding off his blows. SAMSON's father came up when he struck at him, and finding him in such a state of frenzy, they were compelled to knock him down and take the knife from him. All the time he was contending with them he was cutting at his throat, and succeeded in cutting quite a gash on the left side, partially cutting the wind pipe. He used a large sized pocket knife, the blade being about three inches long and rather dull. Dr. Layton was up to see him yesterday, and he has no doubt SAMSON will recover from the injuries to his throat. The many friends of Mr. SAMSON and family in the county will learn this with regret, but feel thankful that he has not injured himself seriously, and sincerely hope that his mind will soon be restored to his former strength. ----------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert January 7, 2010 [email protected]