A Barber’s Last Walk: No Work, No Way Home, and a Family Left Behind

Port Angeles, Dec. 17.—[Special.]—A sad case of suicide near Dungeness occurred two days ago. The unfortunate was D. D. Vail, whose home is near Beaver, in the western part of this county. He was a barber and was out of work, with a large family. He left home going after employment. This he failed to get. He wrote his wife a letter, telling her that he could get nothing to do and had determined to start home, if he had to walk. He did not come and the wife grew uneasy, feared he had become lost, and prevailed upon a neighbor to go to Pysht to get tidings. When he got there he found a telegram saying Vail had committed suicide Friday by taking an overdose of laudanum. The message was sent to the wife and the neighbor came on here, making arrangements for the burial, which occurred here today. The suicide left a letter to his wife, saying that since he was unable to procure work he had determined to end his own life. He had a $2,000 life insurance policy in the order of United Workmen, and he was buried under their auspices. Deceased was well liked where known; was a man of good habits and about 40 years of age. He was much attached to his wife and family, and in a fit of despondency sold his life for its insurance, believing he would do them a service.