Ends his life by hanging

This story was published in the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, September 18, 1908.

Despontent because of ill health and poverty, Lucas D. cole hanged himself in the barn at the rear of his home at 11 Adams Street. He is believed to have committed the deed Wednesday evening. His body was not found until last night when it was discovered by his son-in-law, Dee Sherwood.

Standing on a chair, the old man had thrown a chain over a beam, attached a rope, slipped the noose over his head and fastening it about his neck, deliberately kicked the chair from under his feet, ending his life by strangulation.

Mr. Cole was 69 years of age. Last winter while temporarily deranged he wandered away and suffered from exposure while scantily clad. He had held the contract for carrying the mail between the postoffice and the Michigan Central depot but lost it last spring on account of ill health. His case was a pathetic one. Abount the only comfort he took in life of late was fondling his little grandson.

Four childern survive him. Mrs. Sherwood, Mrs. Alice Bates, George B. Cole and Howard Cole of Luxemburg, Missouri.