Bullying and the Sad Consequences - "A Tale as Old as Time"

 This is not a pretty story.  In fact, it's graphic and shocking.  And it is still a problem 130 years later. This report appeared in the Defiance Democrat on November 17, 1892, on the front page: 

"HE STUTTERED

And Schoolmates Made His Life Wretched.

He Begs to be Allowed to Stay at Home From School.

On Being Refused, He Sends a Bullet Into His Brain.

The Sad Death of a 13 Year Old Milford Township Boy

Hicksville, O. - Nov. 15, '92.

Daniel Bucher, the 13 year old son of A. M. Bucher of Milford Township, committed suicide with a rifle yesterday.  He placed the muzzle of the weapon to his head and in some manner pulled the trigger.  The bullet entered his brain.

The affair took place about 9 o'clock a.m.  The boy lingered until 3 p.m. He was unconscious until he died.  His death is a particularly sad and tragic one, owing to his extreme youth and from the circumstances which led up to it.  It is a story of a sensitive nature and senseless teasing about a physical defect which the poor child was powerless to help.

Children are cruel.  They may be angelic in some ways, but to one less fortunate than themselves, they show no mercy.  It is their nature to be positively brutal at times.  In no case that can be called to mind is this fact more clearly emphasized than in this one.

Little Danny lived with his parents in Milford Township and attended district school.  His father is an influential farmer and stands well in west end society.  He was anxious that the boy should receive as good an education as the home facilities could afford, and he would not hear of Danny missing the opportunities by staying at home.

The boy did not want to go.

He stuttered and was very sensitive about it.  His schoolmates cruelly teased him about it, and mimicked him until he cried.  His teacher could not prevent it.  The poor boy was more happy at home.  At school he could not take interest in his lessons, owing to his misfortune.  

Yesterday morning, he begged to be allowed to remain at home, but his request was not granted.  His father did not realize the torture the boy was suffering at the hands of his schoolmates and he said the boy should go.  Sadly, the boy turned away.  No one of the family notices where he went particularly, as all supposed he would mind his father.  

None knew the desperate purpose forming in his mind.

All of a sudden, the family heard the report of a rifle in the bedroom.  They rushed in and an awful sight met their gaze.  Danny was lying on the floor with ta bullet hold in his temple.  By his side was the rifle.  The grief-stricken parents summoned medical aid and did all in their power to save him, but to no avail.  The unfortunate lad died at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

The lesson is a deplorable one both to school children and parents.  Merciless and senseless teasing should be stopped or the child who is being imposed upon taken out of the reach of his tormentors.  There are several other children in the family, but the parents are nearly frantic with grief."

For more current reading on the subject: https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/facts

Standing up to Bullies