Daily News Batavia, Genesee County, New York State April 12-1886 A Le Roy Lady Suicides Our residents were startled yesterday afternoon about 1 o'clock by the rumor that Mrs. SMITH, wife of the Rev. R.T. SMITH, who lives about half a mile west of the village, had committed suicide during the morning while her husband was absent at church. Mr. SMITH, who is a retired Baptist minister, in his 86th year, went to the village to attend services as usual, without noticing anything peculiar in his wife's condition, whom he left behind with her sister, Mrs. LIBBY. Sometime after his departure she told her sister that she was going to take a bath, as was her custom. Nothing strange was thought of this, but her long absence caused Mrs. LIBBY to look for her, when she was horrified to find that the old lady had deliberately gone to the cistern, plunged in, and had destroyed her own life by drowning. The news spread rapidly, and as Mr. SMITH arrived home he found friends who were removing the lifeless body of his wife from the cistern. He was completely overcome. The deceased was an estimable lady, some 60 years old, and is a sister of the Hon. L.N. BANGS, of this village. Her health has been impaired for some time, and it is supposed she had become partially deranged. Much sympathy is extended to Mr. SMITH in his affliction. Mr.and Mrs. SMITH had been residents of Le Roy about twenty-five years. Mr. SMITH has not been a regular pastor of the Baptist church here in that time, but he had occasionally occupied the pulpit. He used to be a "supply," and has conducted services at several of the churches in this and adjoining counties. He is the father of Howard SMITH, now of Buffalo, and of another son, who is reading law with Judge BANGS. Two daughters live in the west. * The Suicide of Charles Allen Charles ALLEN, who committed suicide at West Batavia on Friday, took his own life because he had nothing on earth to live for. He was seventy-three years of age and was absolutely alone in the world. His wife died a year or two ago and within a few years two daughters died. He lived in an old house on the Plank road on the farm of Leman MERRILL, for whom he had worked for many years. His father used to be in Mr. MERRILL's employ. The unfortunate old man was addicted to drink and had in a measure lost the esteem of his neighbors, who had little to do with him. He had been assisted by Poormaster CROSS for some time, and had lived alone, all winter. On Thursday, Willie BOOTH, a boy who lives in the neighborhood, bought a knife of Mr. ALLEN and had promised to pay for it in a day or two. On Saturday morning he visited the old man's house and finding it locked went away, returning again in the afternoon about 2 o'clock, when, the house still being locked, he inspected the premises and saw the body of Mr. ALLEN suspended from a rope in the woodshed at the back of the house. He gave the alarm and neighbors arrived, who found that death had evidently taken place some time since. Smoke was seen coming from the chimney Friday morning and the woodshed door was open, but later the door was closed. The fire was out and his bed had not been disturbed when the neighbors entered the house, so it is supposed that he suicided some time after noon on Friday. The suicide was quite methodical in his preparations for death. He took a board and placed one end of it on a window sill and the other on a barrel, and tied the rope, which was about the size of a bed cord, to timbers in the roof.. Then, evidently, standing on the board he adjusted the rope around his neck and kicked the support from under him. His funeral took place yesterday, his body being buried beside his wife's at East Pembroke. Coroner PARMELEE of Batavia visited ALLEN's home and, after learning the facts in the case, decided that an inquest was not necessary. ** Died Away from Relatives C.H. BUSCHE, who lived at Chas. BLUMERICK's on Ellicott street, died Saturday evening from the effects of a hemorrhage, aged 44 years. BUSCHE came to Batavia from Elma, Erie county, and it is supposed he has relatives in Buffalo or that immediate vicinity. The funeral will be held to-morrow afternoon, at 2 o'clock from Mr. BLUMERICK's. ** Death at the County House Mrs. Hannah CHURCH, who was taken from Bergen to the County House at Bethany less than a year ago, died at that institution yesterday morning of old age. She was about eighty-six years old. ** Wall paper and window shades at LEAVENWORTH Bros. ** Special Bargains in new Spring goods at the Cream store. M.H. BIERCE & Son. ** submitted by Linda C. Schmidt *********************************************