Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-12-18
CRANKS.
A Young Farmer Commits Suicide
In the Cause Of Truth.
A Pious Youth Who Killed Himself Because
the Boys Told Him His Girl had Gone
Back on Him-He Wanted
a Nice Funeral.
A MAN SELLS HIS WIFE FOR $500.

READING, Pa, December 17.-Alfred G.
Machemer, the young farmer who shot
himself the other day, left a statement
giving his reason for taking his life, and
directing the details of his funeral. About
year ago Machemer paid attentions to q
rich young country maiden, but through
lovers quarrel they separated. On Tues
day, Machemer. who in the meantime had
become entirely reconciled, went to neigh
boring nill on business. While there he
met several indiscreet young acquaintances
who taunted him in regard to the separa-
tion and they declared that the young man
had been Jlted. This greatly exercised
young Machemer, and he promptly re-
solved to ascertain whether or not the lady
had boasted that she had thrown him over.
He drove home, told his father that he
would be absent fofseveral hours, and then
drove away again. He returned about half
past in the evening and went to his bed
room. As was his nightly custom he
Kneft Down and Prayed
in tone of voice loud enough to be heard
by his two sisters, who were in an adjoin-
ing bed room. His prayer was q general
one, the same as he usually offered. He
appeared very calm and cool. After break
fast the following morning he took q shot
gun, went into wagon shed near the barn,
drew ont the ramrod, placed the butt end
of the gun on the ground with the muzzle
pointing to his breast, leaned over, and,
with the ramrod in his right hand, he
pushed the trigger, and the entire load Of
shot penetrated his breast near the neck.
He dropped back dead almost instantly.
Nd
found in the corn crib, and, covering eight
pages was his last statement. The state
ment reads as follows:
Untruth.
Here you can see what trouble untruth
will lead to. 1t rs hard to do as | have
done, but could not belp it. My trouble
was q great griet upon me. | went TO see
whether the report was truth or not. They
said it was true; but said it is not true.
Last evening TUESDAY when / came home
from where bad gone to see about the re.
port went right to bed. / then saw two
bright angels sitting on my bed, and then
they rose up and said: Come, come, and
it shall be we'll with thee" l could not
sleep. This "wednesday morning bought
powder to shoot myself. 1t is the best
thing ! can do because OF the hard lying on
ME. I cannot stand it.
Father and mother, sisters aud brothers,
don't trouble yourselves for me- 1t is Just
as / say, what they reported is not true.
hope you Will hold my funeral nice.
Father, give my team to my sisters, and
they shall own it as they want
Father and sisters, you do right to me as
much as you can. hope you will live
long and well.
The following boys shall dig my grave:
Solomon Rothermel, Oscar Smith, David
Aester and Joel Shaeffer. Pastor Hansicker
shall preach. Daniel Saul shall give out
the hymn.
Miss Hattie Rothermel, Miss Hettie Heff.
ner, Miss Mary Boyer and Miss Fanny
Schucker shall sing at the house Safe in
the Arms Of Jesus l want them to be
taken 10 the hearse, thence to the church,
and the above four girls shall sit in the
pulpit. After the sermon the girls shall
rise and, with Mr. Saul, shall sing II want
to be an angel" They shall then take me
to the grave, and when it is closed, they
shall sing the long metre doxolosy. All
shall then 60 to my fathers house. l
hope all will do as | say, because all were
my good friends.
am now going TO heaven above where
all is love, there'll be no parting there.
Father, keep on farming. Don't stop.
hope another young fellow will take my
place TO do my work on this farm, and
hope, sisters, you will tend to your father
as long as you live.
Now, will stop and shoot myself away.
Goodbye to you all; now | am going TO
heaven That is what untruth viii, do. II
the report was true would not kill myself
Truth is always the best.