The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-12-03
Shot Himself Through tho Head.

Last Friday afternoon Mr.. J. G. Spear
man, who lived in Pendleton Township,
committed suicide by shooting himself in
the head. Mr.. Spearman had recently
been conducting small business at Pen.
dleton, while his family lived on farm
near Earles Bridge, and he was well
known throughout that section. The an :
uouncement that be had committed sui
eide was, therefore.sa shock to bis friends
and neighbors.
Coroner Nance was notified and on Sat
urday held an inquest over the body:
The most important witnesses examined
by the Coroner we're the eldest son and
daughter of the deceased, MI. d. M
Spearman and Miss Nancy spearman,
and from their sworn statements to the
Jury we have secured the following facts /:
For two or three days preceding Friday
the members OF the family had noticed
that Mr.. Spearman was greatly worried
about some matter, but said nothing
about it to them. He had been drinking
pretty freely during the several days, ano
on Thursday came home under the influ
ence of whiskey. He spent Friday morn
ing in and around his house, and just be-
fore dinner went out into field some dis
tance from the house. Not returning for
some time, Miss Nancy followed in the
direction which her father went out and
found him sitting down on the ground
She insisted that lie should come to the
house. He refused, but requested that
she 20 and bring three of the youngest
children 10 him. Miss Nancy immedi
diately brought the childrer to him. In
the meantime Mr.. D. NJ. Spearrnen went
to the field and begged his father to 60 to
the house. He repeated the visit to his
father, but could not induce him to leave
the field. Mr.. D. M. Spearman went on
to his work, and in short time one OF his
little brothers came aud told him his
father wanted TO borrow lead penal
The pencil was sent to the father, who
did some writing with it. The children
begged the father to 20 back to the house
with them, but he again refused, and they
started home. leaving him in the field
alone. Before reaching the house they
heard the report of a pistol from the direc.
ton where they had left the father. Miss
Nancy and the children went back down
into the field, and there they found their
father in a prostrate condition, with ter
rible hole in his head and the pistol by his
side. He was not dead, but in an uncon-
scious condition. AS soon as several OF
the neighbors could be umoned, the
unfortunate man was carried to the house.
He lived several hours, but never regained
consciousness.
The following is copy of letter,
which was found il one Of Mr.. Spear
mans pockets, addressed to his son, D.
NJ. Spearman:
&C. Spearman was bornd Sep. AZ, 1S47. Died
Nov. 81, 1891. Age A years and monts, Tioubl,
caus all OF this. God bless all of the children U
save everyone Of them. ritten BY j. G. Spearman
Nov 27, 1891. David you can get Mr.. j. G. Hull To
max the cabin, as he is OWN mo sum money
Give James my watch. David be good boy and
tax care of the little children. God bless Mary
aud all Of the rest of the children. Th.y Will Dc
heep said about this, but trner harted man
never lived than the ritter. David, you q Nancy
ace that tho little children is .aken care OF
yours truly,
The Jury Of inquest returned verdicl
in accordance with the facts given above
MIR. Spearman had always borne the
reputation of being an upright, honorable
man, and was highly es.cemed by bis
neighbors. He leaves wife and nine
children, who we learn are in an almost
destitute condition.