The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-05-18
w. l.. A BRAINS, Secretary
Midland Suicide.

st. Thomas Times.
Nelson L. Derby, who for some seven
years past has liycd on farm about six
miles northeast of this place, took his
own life OH Friday morning. The word
WIS brought to town by Nelson p. Orn.
burg, who has been in the employ Of
Mr.. Derby for some time. A Times re.
porter at once proceeded to the scene OF
the suicide and learned the following
facts regarding the terrible tragedy.
Derby returned from New York city
some time in March and went TO Ills
farm for the summer. Soon after his
arrival tic WIS taken i'll and went to St
Paul for medical treatment. lie remain.
ell in the city about three weeks and
then returned here. He appeared dies,
pondent and often sat for several hour.
cutting paper into fantastic shapes OF
playing solitaire. His lesmnlency
seemed to grow on him and lie showed {;
lack Of interest in business. but as he
was eccentric, no one seemed to notice
his strange actions excepting his hire,
man, Ornhurg, who attempted to chccl
him up but without avail.
On Thursday, Derby piowcd all day
with sulky pillow and returned home a,
night feeling better than he had for some
time. At $50 he visited the stable with
Ornburg, TO look after sick horse, aftel
which lie went to his own house which
is situated some forty feet from that OF
his help and retired. The next morning
he was found in bed with IL bullet hole
in his forehead, and the pistol, ~ heavy
Colt Of a calibre, still in his hand. The
bullet apparently killed him instantly as
his body was in perfect reposc.
The coroner WIS at once notified and
arrived in town on the freight train ut
ll:l5. lie at once summoned jury
composed of Arthur Childcrhosc, John
Ganssle and Samuel III. Richardson, and
held an inquest.
The only person examined was Orn-
ouSs WIZ lCotiliCu do IOliONs.
Nelson +. Ornburg being duly sworn
SAID: lam working on farm, am thirty
years old, usually call Mr.. Derby for
breakfast in the morning; called lin
three times OH the morning of llth of
May and receiving 10 answer, opened
door and found deceased in bed with re-
volver IN his hand, AMI his hand and
face covered with blood; when ] last saw
him alive it was on night of May 10th
abont 0 o'clock.
NELSON p. ORSBuRG.
Relatives of the deceased were at once
notified Of the death, and word was sent
here to hold the body till their agent.
W. V. Noad of West Superior, would ar
rive and take the remains to New York
city for burial.
Nelson l.. Derby was II years OF age
n man of liberal education, and II gradu-
ate of Yale college. lie had gained con-
siderable notoricty throughout the north
west as a writer by attacking the man
apcinent Vi the MahltoDt runway anu
and Northern Elevator
His articles appeared in
this paper, Fargo Argus, Grand Forks
Minneapolis Tribune, Pio-
ncer Press and many other papers, and
were all furcible and readable articles.
He was Of Il sunny disposition aud had
hosts of friends. He was Il man Of good
character and regular habits, and no
reason but temporary insanity can be
attributed to his rash act.
You can save money by buying your
cook stove and hardware ut
1915 I. l.. PRIcE's.