Platt D. Babbitt
The Niagara Falls Gazette
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1879
Platt D. Babbitt (56), an old resident of this village, and a photographer whose work has made him known throughout the country, committed suicide by drowning himself at South Wales, Erie County, Thursday morning of last week (Aug 21).
For some time past Mr. Babbitt had not enjoyed good health, being subject to fainting spells through weakness; and in consequence he was made an object of solicitous watching by his wife and mutual friends. A week ago last Wednesday Mr. Babbitt and his wife left their home on Second-st. in this village, and went to South Wales for the purpose of visiting a few days with Mrs. Sally Corliss, his mother-in-law, who was boarding with Mrs. Mary A. Miller. Since that time Mr. Babbitt had gained some strength, and often expressed a desire to live and die in this beautiful valley.
On Wednesday last Mrs. Babbitt, fancying she detected an improved condition of her husband's health, spoke to him about returning home, but he was not willing to do so. He desired to remain a few days longer. Thursday morning he arose about six o'clock. Shortly after that hour Mrs. Miller, who was standing in the woodshed, noticed him walking down the path toward the barn, and subsequently saw him in the doorway.
His wife, noticing his absence from the house, started out to find him, first going to the barn and subsequently walking up the road some distance. Her search not proving successful, Mrs. Miller also looked about for some time.
The latter walking along the bank of the Cazenovia Creek, and had proceded but a short distance when she discovered the missing man's hat on a pile of driftwood, and his body lying on the bottom of the creek in a place where the water was only about three feet deep.
The startled woman then called for help, and attracted the attention of Ransom Downing, a neighbor. He drew the body out of the water, and it was found that the suicide had fastened one end of a short rope around his neck quite tightly, and the other end around a flat stone, about one foot square. It is thought that he did this on the bank and then carried the stone with him into the water and laid down upon his face. The body it is supposed had been in the water for fully half an hour before it was found. It was removed to the house, and an investigation showed that the deceased had emptied his pockets of his private papers and quite a sum of money before committing the fatal act.
Word was sent to Coroner Scott by telegraph and that official proceeded to South Wales. After he heard the statement of the parties, he decided that the case was one of deliberate suicide and did not deem it necessary to hold an inquest.
The remains were brought to his home at this place the same evening and the next day were conveyed to Cincinnati, where the burial took place.