WD Chapman Son’s Suicide

WD Chapman Son’s Suicide is a parent worst nightmare, a spouses life sentence full of questions, and a child’s life long search for answers. Telling the stories of antique fishing lure makers isn’t all about fishing, or all about the hunt for the piscatorial treasures, its about breathing life into the people who are responsible for our angling heritage. That, akin to real life, is some good, some bad and then, some parts ugly. I don’t think there are very many, if any people who would read this who don’t have someone, a friend, a loved one, they themselves who haven’t dealt with mental illness.

My wife and I had the discussion before while trying to help a family member, that it would almost be easier if they were a drug addict, or an alcoholic, that there are more resources out there for substance abuse than mental health. Its real, it tangible it something we as a society sweep away instead of facing. It is not new, its been around as long as we have and, yet I feel some days we never make substantial headway with it. So why would I bring this up on my antique lure blog, well, because I believe it was a very big piece, and played a very big part in the ending years of WD Chapman’s fishing tackle business, I just haven’t found and assembled all of the bread crumbs.

WD Chapman lost his son Byron to it, and below is more a detailed account from a local media perspective that time. Remember, Byron wasn’t just Chapmans son, he was a intregral part of the antique fishing lure makers business. From management to production, and in both the Theresa location, the move to Brockville and new location in Rochester, Byron had his hands in it. Again, for those not familiar, the Name of the business for more years than not was titled in some way relating to W.D. Chapman & Son., and not just WD himself. To see a photo of Byron please visit the article Byron Chapman Photo

We would also see a reorganization a month later, under the name WD Chapman Manufacturing Company.

He used a product called Paris Green, and for those who are not familiar;

Paris green (copper acetate triarsenite or copper acetoarsenite) is an inorganic compound. As a green pigment it is also known as Schweinfurt green, emerald green or Vienna green. It is a highly toxic emerald-green crystalline powder that has been used as a rodenticide and insecticide, and also as a pigment, despite its toxicity. It is also used as a blue colorant for fireworks. The color of Paris green is said to range from a pale blue green when very finely ground, to a deeper green when coarsely ground.

Suicide by Paris Green

An Inmate of the State Hospital Killed Himself by Poison

September 18th, 1885

Byron H. Chapman, once a well known businessman in this city, but who for the past 6 months has been an inmate of the Rochester State Hospital, died at that institution Monday afternoon as the result of a dose of Paris green, evidentially taken with the intention of committing suicide.

Between 7 & 8 o’clock Sunday morning Mr. Chapman escaped from the hospital and wandered about for some time, visiting some of his old friends and talking very hopefully to them about his business prospects. He said he expected to go into business before long in New York City and appeared very rational. He then visited his old house at No. 16 Harper Street and at 4 O’clock in the afternoon officials at the hospital received a telephone message from Mrs. Chapman to the effect that her husband had returned unexpectedly and had threatened to kill her. When they went to the house for him he was gone.

Chapman again returned to his former home around 9 o’clock in the evening and this time appeared to be ill. He went to bed and another call was sent to the hospital, informing them that he was there and for them to come get him. Chapman was removed to the hospital , but he seemed to get a little better. About 11 o’clock Monday morning he arose from his bed and went to the bathroom, and when he returned Dr. Potter discovered a green mark on his face near the mouth. An immediate investigation showed that the man had taken a dose of Paris green. Everything possible was done for him but at 4 o’clock in the afternoon the man died.

Two years ago Mr. Chapman Showed traces of insanity and was sent to the St Lawrence County Insane Asylum. He was discharged from the institution as cured, but soon afterword’s showed symptoms of a return of the malady. He was taken to the Rochester State Hospital. Mr. Chapman was at one  time a successful business man and it is believed that his business reverses led to contributed unbalances to his mind. He is well know as the originator of the “Chapman Bait” a device favored by fisherman throughout the country.

Coroner Kleindienst was notified and after investigating the case granted a certificate of death. Besides his wife the man is survived by a father and mother living in Theresa, and two sisters. The remains will be taken to Theresa for burial.

WD Chapman Son's Suicide