Subject: Joseph S. BELCHER This was posted on the NorCal list yesterday. Stockton Daily Independent Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA 2-7 MARCH 1863 ************************* >>MONDAY, 2 MAR 1863<< DIED -- in this city, on the 5th inst., Joseph S. BELCHER, aged 34 years. [The funeral will take place from the 1st Baptist Church today at 2 oclock p.m. Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend.] SUICIDE -- Last evening, shortly after sundown, quite a commotion was created in the streets by the tidings obtaining currency that Joseph S. BELCHER, a well known, highly respected, steady and industrious carpenter, had committed suicide. He had been afflicted with erysipelas and had been under the charge of a physician for some days, but had so far recovered as to be left alone. His brother usually occupied the same room -- which is in the adobe building, opposite the Weber House, on Main street -- but had gone off during the day and was the 1st to find on his return, his brother lying in bed and dead. The jugular vein on the left side was severed, and the blood had spurted a distance of several feet on the wall. He was lying on his back with the right arm hanging over the side of the bed and a razor lying on the floor near his hand. Deceased was from Providence, Rhode Island, and came to California in 1849. He has been a resident of Stockton since 1850. Who knows the workings of the human soul? Poor fellow! He is gone -- gone to his eternal rest and the physical suffering and agony of soul that induced him to commit the decisive act that terminated his earthly career, who can describe? The Coroner summoned a jury and after examining several witnesses, the following verdict was rendered: State of California, San Joaquin county Stockton, March 5, 1863 We, the Jurors, find the deceased to be Joseph S. BELCHER, aged 34 years, occupation, carpenter, and that he committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor, between the hours of 1 and 7 oclock p.m., Thursday, March 5th, in his room in the adobe building on Main street, below Center. The Jury find from the evidence adduced that the deceased was laboring under a slight aberration of mind at times previous to his death. (Signed) J.E.G. BIGGER R.S. ELLSWORTH George R. ROOT John HERKIN Ferdinand ROSEMAN G.W. CAMPBELL J.F. HOUCHE A.W. BLAKE