Richard Barber Jr., 12, Fearing Whipping by School Teacher, Attempts Suicide, March 29, 1926

Smithfield, March 26—Fear of a whipping by his school teacher is said to have prompted Richard Barber Jr., 12 years old, to attempt suicide. The boy climbed a tree, tied a rope around his neck and the end to a limb and jumped.

Meanwhile, his mother stood below pleading with the boy not to do it. The youngster’s weight was too slight to break his neck.

From page 6 of The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., March 29, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026483/1926-03-29/ed-1/seq-6/