The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-04-18


Kumiliatioa Of Open Disgrace,
Saturday, afternoon, between five
and six O'Clock, our citIzers were star
tied to hear that Z f Valentine, one
of the most popular young men Of this
city, had committed suicide by shoot
ing himself through the head.
The terrible runner proved too true,
and he who but recently filled an en-
viable position of honor and trust had
by his own hand sealed the record oi
his life in the mysteries of eternity.
The cause of the sad tragedy is di
rectly attributable to seemingly un
controlable passion for gambling. and
the sequel is the old story of using
employers funds for temporary pur.
poses. thinking to replace them.
+ F. Valentine. at the time of his
death, had been on the road as sales
man for A J. Wenham's Sons, whole
sale grocers, of Cleveland, the past
three or four years, and was the best
salesman In their employ, receiving at
the close Of last year, q fine diamond
pin from the firm, in recognition of
his services. He was one of the most
popular and successful salesmen ever
on the road from Cleveland, and uni
versal favorite among the profession
for his sterling business qualities, man.
ly bearing, and genial disposition,
combined with fine social traits, and Il
bright, active mind. Wherever he
went, he was liked, and his friends
we're legion. With the exception OF
his one weakness, a more exemplary
young man would be difficult to find
But in moment of supreme tempta
ton, he used his employers fund.-
in stock investments and lost. Subse
quent ventures resulted the same, and
January lst 1889, found him with y
shortage of $4,000. In vain did he try
his chances in wheat, oil, stock and
other Investments, endeavoring il
every way to balance his accounts
In a single day he lost $500 in whea
deal. His employers discovered theil
loss, and demanded explanation. TIL,
truth of course became known, but BY
mortgage on the home here of 81, 600
and in other waysf this was satisfacto
rily adjusted, and through the influ
ence of friends, and the desire of the
firm to retain so valuable a salesman
in their emp oy, be was kept in bis
position. But deficit was again dis
covered, and he was discharged from
their service week before last, ami Civ
en- until Monday of this week to ad
just matters. Monday, Sth inst h,
contided his troubles to certain of hi
friends here.
His fiLe sensibilities deferred him
from applying to his friends for assist
ance, and as the expiration of the linn
tied time approached, he sank to tn,
lowest depths of dependency.
Last Saturday afternoon he unbo
somed himself to another friend, t
whom he declared his intention O
taking his life. Through The irduenc
of tn at friend, he was dlssuaIsd from
his purpose, declarisg, however, thx
he never would suffer the disgrace O
prison walls.
When he parted from his fiieud,
was with the intention of taking trail
on the Erie road that same afternoon
and going toCanada, W ht re he intepde,
making good his shortage, which wa
about $500, and his last words to hin
were, GOOD bye; I will write from
Clifton House, eu day"
In the meantime, IAN affidavit, charg
lug him with embe zziing 500. 90, wa
sworn out before Esquire Dickinson
by one Of the firm, and warrant fo
his arrest placed in the hands of.office
Mason, who went to his house about
o'clock, but did not find him. Valeu
tine was not expecting the warrap
before Monday. and probably though
he had plenty of time in which t
make preparations.
About $50 the officer again went I
the house and found Valentine, wiz
came down stairs III his shirt sleeve.
partially dressed, evidently preparin
for his journey. He inquired, "Whs
is it, Mason?" On being told, b
sked if 1t YVES from above, referrip
Cleveland, and receiving an affirm
alive reply, asked permission to go u
tairs to finish dressing himself, whic
was granted. After waiting som
ime, the officer called out, "Hurr
up, Frank" in response to whi, h
Valentines wife came down and aske
+ If her husband could not eat his sup
per first, which request Was refused
Suddenly, while his wife was engage
in conversation with the officer, a lou
report was heard from up stairs, an
Mrs. Valentine exclaimed, He ha
shot himself!" The officer hastene
up stairs, and upon entering a sma
dressing room in the front part of th
house, found poor Valentine lyin
partially against the door, where b
mad fallen, with a smoking revolve
clutched in his right band, and a tel
rible wound in the right side of hi
head, from which was oozing bloc
and brains. The report was in imme
iiate circulation that he was dead, bu
not until 4 O'Clock Monday mornin
did he breathe his last.
The unfortunate man was a son.in
law of J. Z. Prentiss, of this city
: having married his daughter Fanni
seven or eight years ago, who, wit
} two small children, survive him.
Mr.. Valentine came originally fror
Bsllefontaine, near which place hi
} mother at present lesides. A ,siste
living at Urbana. O., arrived her
Monday morning, but the mother wa
unable to come.
Mr.. Prentiss, who ia also a CONNER
cisl traveller, was at Homer, Mich, q
the time, returning at once on learnin
of the sad affair.
Mr.. Valentine was one of the oldes