OBIT: Benjamin CRANE, 1909, Blair County, PA

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GLOOMY OUTLOOK CAUSES SUICIDE.
Benjamin Crane Out of Employment and Imprisoned for Debt, Hangs
Himself.
CONSTABLE FOUND DEAD BODY
Left Juniata Last Spring With Board Bill Unpaid and Arrested Upon His
Return.

The pressure of poverty at Christmas time made life look so gloomy to
Benjamin Crane, a suspended employe of the Juniata shops, that he
concluded to end it all, which he did by hanging himself in a cell in
the Juniata lockup about 6 o'clock last evening.

Crane last spring left Juniata, leaving a board bill of $10, which he
owed to Mrs. John Capp, and upon returning to that place yesterday was
apprehended by Constable Norris on a warrant from the office of
Justice of the Peace Coleman, charging him with violating the boarding
house act.

The arrest was made at 5 o'clock, and following a hearing he was taken
to the lockup, in Roger's fire house, to await removal to jail.  After
fixing the fires in the lockup to keep his prisoner warm, the officer
told Crane that he was going for supper and would bring back a meal
for him.  During his absence Crane committed suicide.

Burlap Bag Used as Rope.

In the cell was a burlap bag which is used as a pillow by prisoners,
and when left alone, Crane twisted the bag into a rope, tied one end
to a bar across the top of the cell and the other around his neck and
then jumped from the bed.

At 6.30 o'clock, as Constable Norris entered the lockup and turned on
the light, he discovered Crane's body dangling at the end of the
improvised rope.

The body was immediately cut down and an examination showed that his
neck had not been broken, but that death was caused by strangulation.

No reason for Crane's rash act could be assigned, last night, except
that when he appeared in the borough yesterday he seemed worried over
being out of employment.

Spent Summer on Farm.

Prior to leaving the borough, he had been employed as a helper in the
Juniata boiler shop, but last spring he was suspended.  From that time
until his return to Juniata he had been employed at farming near
Lightner's Mills, three miles from Petersburg.  He was aged 27 years
and was born in Huntingdon county.  Two brothers, David, who until
several weeks ago resided in Juniata, and Timothy, are the only
surviving relatives.

Coroner W. T. Blackburn investigated the case, but decided that an
inquest was unnecessary, and the remains were turned over to
Undertaker N. E. Roher of Juniata to be prepared for burial.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Friday, December 24, 1909