On the Edge of Eternity.

Hastings Standard, Issue 11, 8 May 1896, Page 4

On the Edge of Eternity.

A curious comiugling of newspaper rivalry ami suicide is reported by Dalziel from Mid vale. Nebraska. It appears that a man named Merchant, the editor of a weekly paper published in that town, decided to commit suicide because of reverses in business. In order that his paper should at least be first with the news, he wrote a thrilling obituary notice about himself, extending to three columns in length, explaining how and why he was taking his life, and what the outlook for him was if he did not do so, and waited till the rival paper had gone to press. He then handed the story to the printers, and. shutting himself up in his room, took a doss of poison. When the foreman read the article he ran to the editorial room, but was unable to gain admission, and as the editor refused to let hun enter, he called the police, who broke open the door. Merchant was found almost at the last ga c p- The doctors who came with the police applied the stomach-pump, and were ultimately able to pronounce the wouid-be suicide out of danger. The foreman, meanwhile, had the article set up, and rushed out the papers, giving the "tory as the editor wrote- it. An hour afterwards the rival paper c-ssny out with a later edition announcing that Merchant's life had hcvli saved.