New London Times – New London, WI - February 16, 1878

Embarrass

Saturday, February 9th, the citizens of our quiet “burg” were horrified to learn that Mr. Joseph Potts, an old and respected citizen of our town, had committed suicide. The sad news was brought to this village about 12 and your coorespondent went out to learn the facts of the case. Mr. Potts lived about half a mile from the village, and when we arrived we found a crowd assembled. An inquest was held by E. E. Breed, J. P. and the following facts were clicited: Mr. Potts had been unwell for a year past, and had intimated a desire to end his existence. Saturday morning he went out as usual to attend to his cattle, came in and ate a light breakfast, and seemed restless. About 10 a.m. he went out to the barn again, and after an absence of about two hours his wife became alarmed at his continued stay.(the day being very cold) went to the barn and found him hanging by the neck from a beam by a log chain with his hands died down. She sent for her neighbors and Messrs. Carser, Brant and Burgess came and took the body down. He had jumped from the beam and fell eight feet. Dr. Finney examined the body and found the neck broken. The verdict of the jury was that the deceased came to his death by suicide while laboring under temporary insanity. Mr. Potts came here over twenty years ago and was a well to-do farmer. It is thought that the death of a favorite daughter about a year ago may have been the cause of his death, as he has been brooding over that trouble a good deal of late. He leaves a large family to mourn his loss.