The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-08
DOUBLE SUICIDE.
DR.. John Nyer and Wife Terminate Their Ex-
istence by Mutual Agreement.

HAZELTON, Pa, Jan. 7.-Dr John Nyer,
the Oldest dentist of the town, shot and
killed his wife. this morning and then COM
mitted suicide by placing the muzzle of a
revolver at his temple and sending bullet
into his brain. The death of both was in
Simultaneous. The deed was evidently a
premeditated double suicide by the doctor
and his wife. The latter was an invalid for
number of years, and suffered considera-
bly, from an incurable disease. The doctor
had large practice, and all the money he
made was spent in the attempt to obtain re-
lief for his wife from her malady. They
had no children. The affection of the couple
was strong, and nothing was spared by the
husband to add to the comfort of the wife.
Last winter was spent in Florida, with the
hope of helping the wife's health, and re-
peated visits have been made to ply
sicians in nearly every part of the
country to secure relief for her. Last Sat
urday they returned from one of these
trips, and Mrs. Nyer had been confined to
her bed since that time. Every. circum-
stance points to mutual understand
ing between the two that death
should only end their trouble and
her suffering. The doctor went to his
office this morning and spent few hours.
He then returned to his residence, went to
his bedroom, where his wife still lay in
bed, locked the door and shot her in the
head. He then took a position before
mirror and killed himself with the same
pocket, addressed to friend, in which he
said his wife's health and trouble with rel
atives had prompted them to end their ex-
lstence, and that his wife was perfectly
willing to die. Both of the victims were
attendants of the English Lutheran Church,
and Mrs. Nyer was prominent in church
work. They have resided here for about
sixteen years and had numerous friends.
Following is a letter found in the coat
pocket of DIR. Nycr:
To Mr. VIM. Olewine:
Enclosed please find my last will and tesla
ment My nervous system has been undergoing
more or less of strain for the past three four
down by some of Mrs. Myers brothers and sisters
charging me with endeavoring to cheat their
come to the conclusion that life is not worth the
living for. ask you to take charge of our bodies
and see that they are properly buried in one grave
up, not to cost over ST. 600 You will find 500
deposited with MI. Pardee. which is to pay for
ont tSe desd Is Sa nfbar Lanabe pansrs von
will find in a trunk. Sell all the real estate and
divide the money according to incloscd will.
bid you all farewell forever. j: II. NYER.
p. ST. have but few debts. l bid all our
friends and enemies farewell for evermore. My
claim against John Smith, deceased, is an honest
claim. J.H.N.
This letter was written at his office this
| morning. just previous to his committing
opened the envelope, read over carefully
the contents of the letter, then coolly folded
| it, sealed and placed it in the pocket where
1T was found. The measure of elaboration
which characterized the entire affair is
astonishing. and has added great deal to
the horror of the awful crime.