The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-25
KILLS HIMSELF ON A TRAIN.
w. #. CROCKETT OF ATLANTA
FIRES A BULLET INTO HIS HEAD.


The Fatal shot Fired Six Miles From
ThomasviIIe-IgadB Been on IA spree
for Week and This Fact
believed to BE at the Bottom of the
Tragedy-Hnd Asked for Pistol at
Hotel Hut 1t Wasn't Given TO
Him.
Thomasville, Ga, Feb. 24.-W. F. Crock
EFT of Atlanta committed suicide on
train near this place this morning by
shooting himself through the head with a
Ss-caliber revolver.
Crockett came to brownsville about one
week ago. He stopped at the Piney
Woods Hotel one day and then went to
the Stuart House. It was noticed that he
drank quite heavily and seemed when not
under the influence of whisky to be in
very respondent mood.
He spent most of his time around the
hotel and his actions were such as to
arouse the suspicious of Proprietor Stuart,
who kept a close watch on him.
Crockett retired very early last night
but late in the night he rang for boy
and tried to borrow a pistol from the
night clerk None was given him.
This morning he arose very early and
going into the office inquired when the
first train would leave town. Being in
formed he ordered his trunk sent to the
depot and paid his bill, remarking: Some
body will be sorry for this
From the hotel Crockett went to
hardware store and bought a revolver,
which he loaded and put In his pocket.
His manner was somewhat excited but
he was perfectly sober and after a little
hesitation the clerk let him have the
weapon.
At the depot he bought a ticket to AL
bany and instead of checking his trunk
called the hotel porter and told him he
could have it, as he (CrocketD would
never have any further use for it. The
porter refused TO accept the trunk, where
upon Crockett ordered him to take it back
TO the hotel and give it 10 somebody else.
The porter took it to the hotel, where
it now is
Crockett occupied a rear seat in the
smoking car. There were eight or ten
other gentlemen in the car. When the
train slowed up at Millers brick yard,
six miles from town, a sharp report was
heard and turning the passengers saw
Crockett rise up and fall heavily across
the back of a seat. He died in a few
minutes. without speaking. He had shot
himself through the head. The body was
taken to Albany, from which place 1t
was sent to Atlanta
Nothing is known of Crocketts history
in this city. Those who formed his ac-
quaintance here noticed that there was
something wrong about the man. but he
said nothing about himself
Yesterday he received $50 by telegraph
from c. II. Mason of Atlanta. He was
young man of nice appearance and ad-
dress.
Albany. Ca. Feb 24-w. F. Crockett
was a nephew Of Clerk G. H. Tanner of the
Superior Court of Fulton county. The re-
mains were brought to Albany and turned
over to w II. Wilder & Son, undertakers
A letter on the dead mans person was
addressed to w. H. Mason. Atlanta, ana
a telegram sent to that address telling of
the suicide brought a response directing
that the remains be prepared for burial
Ar. Tanner wired that he would arrive
in the city tonight and accompany the re-
mains back to Atlanta tomorrow morn.
ing. A letter signed Your affectionate
sister, Pearl and begging him to write
~ MS HlOtHeT, was IOuUQ on MS person,
together with a sum of money and some
private papers. The man who sold the
pistol to him was on the train at the
time of the suicide. The ball entered
the opening of the right ear and did not
break the skin where it could be seen.
Atlanta, Ga. Feb 24-Crockett lived at
Decatur. Thirty-six dollars were found in
his pocket. Crockett was about % years
of age and son of ]. P. Crockett. who
committed suicide several months ago az
his home in Decatur. The elder Mr..
Crockett was a man of considerable
wealth. his fortune at the time of his
death being estimated at 100000
Young Crockett, who killed himself TO-
day, was left in possession of very com
Portable sum. He was addicted to too fire.
quent indulgence in drink, and it's thought
that his mind was temporarily unhingea
when he committed the rash act About
Two months ago he was sent to a sanr-
tarium in Nashville for treatment and re-
turned improved in health a short time
ago. He was returning home from Thorn.
asville when he shot himself. His remains
viii be brought from Albany for inter
ment at Decatur.