Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-11-05
PATHETIC STORY OF SUICIDE.
Ernest Bolster, ~, Was Dependent Re
cause of III HeaIth---His sad Parting
with His wife and children.


Ernest Bolster, ~, Was Dependent Re
cause of III HeaIth---His sad Parting
with His wife and children.
Ernest Bolster, 81, son of Lyman f.
Bolster. the Bondville merchant, com
mitted suicide by shooting through the
heart near the home of his father-in-law.
Charles Landman of Jacksonville. about
12:1j o'clock last Saturday. The story of
the young mans end is a pathetic one
which has touched the hearts OF all who
knew him.
Bolster was a blacksmith by trade and
previous TO last June had worked in
Dryden's shop at South Londonderry.
living there with his family. He was
Obliged TO give up the work on account of
failing health, and he moved to the home
of bis father-in-law. He drove the stage
on the route from Bondvlle to Winhall
Station during the summer months, but
his health continued to fail, and of late he
had been unable TO work regularly, although
at times assisting his father.
His physical condition brought on mental
depression, which was aggravated through
inability TO carry out a verbal agreement
to make a payment on a small debt due
last week, although Mr.. Landman had
offered TO settle it for him.
His wife had feared for some time that
he had thoughts of suicide, and tried to
prevent his being left alone. Saturday
morning he went up to his fathers and got
his revolver, a cheap five shooter of an
old pattern, 81 calibre He had always
carried keys TO his fathers buildings so
that he could let himself in at any time
and he gave them TO his father. II lie re-
turned home before dinner. of which he
ate as usual, and after that offered 10
assist Mrs. Bolster who was washing for
the baby. Mrs. Bolster said "No, Ernest.
don't do that, you are tired"
Tears came in his eyes, he turned and
took up the baby and kissed him saying.
you are pretty and papa wishes he could
do something for you, but l am afraid be
| never can" He put down the child and
went out towards the barn. Mrs. Bolster
said to the little girl, aged six, ETHEL,
! follow your papa and see if you can't cheer
him up"
She went out, saw her father going down
| the road, and followed him. He went
around on the north side of the barn, only
three or four rods from the house, and ap-
parently sat down on bank near a brook
| drew the revolver and shot himself through
the heart, his daughter being within about
three rods of him when the shot was fired
! She ran to the house screaming that her
| papa had been shot by her uncle Merle,
who was hunting in the woods. Mrs. Boil
| ster and her father and mother, Mr.. and
| c. II. Landman, ran out and found him
breathing his last. Mr.. Landman went
after F. b. Pier, and Mr.. Pier and Others
assisted in carrying him into the house
Much sympathy is felt for the sorrowng
family. Mr.. Bolster was a kind and low
ing husband and father-the bond of love
existing between him and his little girl
was unusually strong and tender. Much
sorrow has been felt that she should have
been the witness of her fathers death.
Mr.. and Mrs. Landman looked upon Mr.
Bolster as a son. Mr.. Landman said to
The Phoenix correspondent that he was
glad 10 have Ernest make his home there.
He knew he was unable to work and he
expected he would live with him. He
thinks his poor health and other worries
had unsettled his mind as he was natural
ly OF happy. cheerful disposition. He
had no bad habits and was well liked in
the community.
The funeral was at Jacksonville on Tues
day al J =. NJ. Rev. y. a. Wood of South
Londonderry officiating. The burial was
at Jacksonville. close by the home that is
saddened by his untimely death. Besides
his family already mentioned, he leaves a
father and mother, one brother and two
sisters. Mr.. Bolster had a life insurance
of $1,000 which will probably be of no avail
to his family as it had been running but
one year