The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-06-12
A SAD SUICIDE.
Jerre Parker, Esq'r, a Pulaski
Lawyer, Kills Himself.

Lawyer, Kills Himself.
On last Tuesday night at about
81 O'Clock a pistol shot rang out
upon the northeast corner of the
square. Persons who observed the
fash FASTENED to the spot and
found the lifeless body of Jerre
Parker, Esq'r, lying upon the
ground in a pool of blood about
twenty feet in front of the New
York Store and forty feet from the
stairway which led to his Office.
The ball entered about the center
of his forehead and was taken out
at the back Of the head later in the
night by Drs. Grant and Gilmore.
He was lying upon his face with
the pistol in his right hand and I'm
der him. Death was evidently in
Simultaneous, as the whole load of
ball and powder seemed TO have en-
tered the head and gone crashing
through the brain. Deceased had
just left the east side, having been
sitting IN front of Smiths saloon in
conversation with Messrs. Milt
Graham and Bud Smith, and when
he left them he told them to be GER
tain to come to his Office in an
hour. He killed himself on his
way to his office. The only init
nation that any one had that he
contemplated such rash deed was
given to these gentlemen a few
minutes before, when he asked
them to take some ice cream at
Gross with him, remarking two or
three times that they had better do
so. as it might be the last opportu-
nifty they would ever have to take
1t with him. They paid little at
tention to 1t at the time, being used
to his peculiarities of expression.
He had loaned his pistol to a friend
in the afternoon, after which he
went into Mr.. Bud Smiths room
and took his pistol from under his
pillow, and with this the deed was
done. He seemed to be in his usu-
al spirits all day and had been
playing billiards with a friend
nearly the whole afternoon, and
was not drinking a great deal. 1t
has been noticed that for few
weeks he has been DESTROYS of play
ing billiards or INDUCING in other
diversions all the time, showing
that his mind was troubled by pc
culiar remarks and expressions of
countenance. The following paper
was found in his desk:
This is my last will and testament. L
owe Joe Braden $3.50. 1 desire that
amount paid out of my personal effects.
L owe Bud Smith $3.50. He has gold
pen of mine and Byron's complete
works. This L think will pay the debt.
This was evidently written about
dark, as he was seen on the street
with a pen in his hand and remark
ed that he had some writing to do.
He came down from his office after
supper in his shirt sleeves, having
written this, and as it is not signed,
he evidently intended to add more
to it. Little John Ballentiue was
passing at the time of the shot and
was within ten feet of him, and he
says that he saw him take the pis
tol from his hip pocket, place it to
his head and fire. Mr.. Jas. Rey-
nolds was passing within a few
steps with young lady and heard
the shot and turned and saw John
Ballentine running away. From
this the report gained circulation
that some one else shot him and
run. 1t is believed that he did it
himself, without doubt, as the ball
extracted exactly fits the empty
chamber of the pistol in his hand.
The sad news soon spread over
town and created CONSERVATION.
Mr.. Parker had his faults, but his
sins were committed exclusively
against himself, and his friends
were numerous and warmly attach
ed. He was a young man of very
extraordinary intellect, capable of
achieving success in his profession,
and the rash act no doubt was done
in remorse for neglecting to put
his talents to good use. He was
given to dissipation to some ex-
tent, ana it is said that his self
abandonment was caused by the
tragic death of relatives years ago
to whom he was warmly attahced.
He had a warm heart, was kind to
all but himself, and was gifted In a
very peculiar and extraordinary
manner. The remains were con-
veyed to Salem, near his fathers
place on Dry creek, yesterday and
inferred. Esq'r Alexander sum
moned a jury and held an inquest
Tuesday night, and verdict was
rendered in accordance with the
above facts.