The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-02-09
s. DRAYToN BLEW
HIS BRAINS OUT.

Thomas S. Drayton, man who is we'll
known to, almost every person 10 this city,
took his own life Monday moruios
about IL O'Clock ut his bone on Sum
teri Street he shot himself through the
head with 32-calibr+ revolver, placing the
muscle Of the pistol close against bis right
temple. Tb. bullet passed directly through
his head, leaving Gaping wound in both
temples. from which the blood and brsios
wers ozing when be was found on the floor
few seconds after the fatal shot was nree:
Life vas not extinct when help tirst reached
him, bat be easped for breath for few no.
uents only before his heart ceased to beat
and his soul bad taken its fight to appear
before the God who created is.
No defcite reason is assigned for The sui
eide, but dependency 10 generally believed
to have been the cause. He bad lived 10 the
nost abject poverty for several years and be
and his family, consisting of wife and Eve
children, have been supported largely BY The
charity Of those Who were acquainted with
their oecessitous condition. he bad been cut
of work greater part Of the time for year
or longer and when at work had only odd
jobs that brought him but small remuoera-
tion for his labor. II was well known
to mauy that bis condition and
the want to which be and his
family bod been reduced preyed upon his
mind, consequently hi. suicide was not
wholly surprise While it vas known that
he was mainly responsible for his condition
aud his habits were ench that be could not
retain regular employment, yet he was an
object of general sympathy and helping
hand was always extended to hin and it ie
not thought that be or bis family ever suffered
for the necesssries OF life.
Thomas s. Drayton came OF an illnstrous
lice, being descendant, iu direct line, of
William Henry Drayfon, the Revolutionary
patriot, aud John dayton, Governor OF
South Carolina in 1900, aud author of the
we'll known books, 'sMemoirs of the Revolu-
ton in South Carolina" and "a View of
South Carolina " He was a native of Sum-
ter County asd was about forty-Eve years OF
age His early life was spent on farm near
Mayesville and be vas a successful and pro-
g.essive farmer for number of years but
meeting With reverses, be removed to this city
aud was member of the police force for ses-
eral years. HIS tragic death this morning
ended life that was fsilure, and aad one
withal, and one that points moral, tor bis
misfariunes in life aud its eod oy his OVID
bacl we're the results Of the indulgence OF aD
appetite for strong drink. 1t is sad story
that is here recorded, but true one neverthe-
less, and tue many friends who esmDathized
With and did what they could for Tom Drsyton
while iiviog will not be less ready to symps-
thiza with aad aid the dependent and helpless
family be left to the care and protection OF
Charitable and seoerocs community. He
lies dead now, and tomorrow will I'll sui
cide's grave, his race is run, but along With
his faults and failing those who knew bim
beat and in his better days will recall good
traits and kindly deeds that light up :he
s,nbre background of hia latter years and
tragic death
At tthe inquest held over Mr. Draytoo's body
q numn her of potes, which he had written al
v4rious times, were pot in as evidence. Some
Of these Totes were dated as far back as
1892 and the latest waa written in January
1873 He s'ated that he Was oat OF work
aud int-uded 10 kill blmseIf aod 90 one WAS
TO blame but himself Several of the notes
were addressed 10 ME- Xiler.
The verdict of the jury of inquest was 10
accordance with the facts, as il vas clear
case Of suicide =