The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-09-12
Ira q. Whitney Shoots
Himself With a Re-
Volver
In Forest Hill Cemetery.
He Was One Of the hest known Tray.
elins Men In This Part--Other
Portage Lake News.

etery about 2 o'clock. Mr.. Whitney was
one OF the best known travellers visiting
the copper country and his many friends
and acquaintance could scarcely credit
the awful news, az it circulated quickly
through the two towns.
The story OF the unfortunate mans end
is brief. He proceeded to the cemetery
on foot, encountering but one man, Sex
ton Baudin, of the cemetery, with whom
he passed few ordinary words, went to
the vicinity OF the Hoar vault and with a
revolver inflicted three mortal wounds.
The sexton, hearing the shots, went to
investigate and found MIR. Whitney al
ready dead, and spread the awful intell-
gence.
Mr.. Baudin says Mr.. Whitney met him
near the entrance to the cemetery and re-
marked on the heat Mr. Baudin said
the unusual climb up the hill was hard
one, and Mr. Whitney passed on. In
moment Mr.. Baudin heard three shots,
fired as quickly together as a revolver
could be fired. He found the dead man
fallen on his face, both hands doubled
under him and, as aiterward found, with
the weapon clutched in the right one.
The first bullet evidently took effect in
the left side little lower than the heart
the second just above the heart and the
third just above the right ear. They must
haye been made in this order for al
though the wounds in the side might
have been fatal it was the one in the head
that cansed almost instant death.
The remains we're taken to Krellwitz's
undertaking establishment after being
viewed by thecoroner's Jury. Mr.. Smith.
one of the firm by whom Mr. Whitney
was employed, will arrive on the noon
train and take charge Of the remains,
returning with them to Green Bay this
afternoon.
Mr.. Whitney has been in the copper
country on this trip about ten days and
during the time he has complained to
several OF being out OF sorts and not
being able to sleep well. lie, however,
| attended to business and on Thursday
evening finished up by selling Peter Ruppe
& Son, of Hancock, large bill OF goods.
He was out on the streets early yester-
day and told an acquaintance that he
must pack up, as he intended leaving for
home at 2:30. During the morning he
went to Pinton's hardware store and
bought the revolver, 32.calibre ham.
m ,rless, aud box OF cartridges. He re.
marked that he was going west soon and
that his revolver at home was out o
order. He remained in Hancock unit
nearly noon and the several acquaint
ances with whom he chatted remarked
nothing wrong with him. At noon h
crossed to Houghton and visiting Ma
Hangs iewelry store got box in wheel
he shipped the diamond stud he wore Il
his home ia Green Bay. He mailed sew
| eral letters which he had written at tn,
| (iutsch Hotel in the morning and after {
few minutes conversation with frient
proceeded to the cemetery.
|. All his acts indicated deliberate pur
pose. but what could have been the mo
tive for his rash act cannot even b.
guessed by his friends. On the last lea
OF his pocket book were the names
three business men to whom he wa
slightly indebted, followed by the words
God bless you" That he was temper
arily insane from i'll health must hav
been the cause. Years ago MIR. Whitne.
was wealthy shoe manufactures in tn
east. During the panic OF 1878 he faile'
and since then has been making this tel
ritory for shoe houses and was in the EN-
ploy of the Smith Wallace shoe compan
last. His trade was good oneh here an
he had told several that he had had
good year during the last past. He wa
about GO years OF age and leaves a far
ily of a wife and four children. thre
daughters and one son, all grown.
ewas most genial man, though
trifle eccentric in some ways, and man
times went out OF his way to do littl
kindnesses for his acquaintance. II
was noted for habit OF INDUCING in sol
tary walks and it seems that the cem'
terles of Houghton and Hancock, an
perhaps other towns, were irequentl
visited by him. Friends who have bee
with him at these places at times ga
that be was remarkably well acquainte
with the location OF graves OF his depar
ed friends and with family lots. muc
more so than resident OF the tow
would naturally be. What bearing tn
queer habit had on his choice oil the pIa'
in which to end his life can only be col
iectured.