The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-11-07
COMMITS SUICIDE
Tragic Death of an Augusta Police
man.

Sooner than become bu, den t
those he loved and should support Pol,
iceman David Redd sent bullet crash
i,g through his brain last "Wednesday
The Circumstances surrounding tee
death cf this cficer are not only trsgic
bot ex,remely sad. The act was com
in;tted in the presence of his fond Oh
mother, who ys;sly sought to snatch
the pistol from his hand while the cn q
N, zz!e WAS sgain5t the temple and tie
finger tre uhIe'; on the trigger. Il )
IF rs were uaavailing for before SIZE
could reach her sons side and at least
divert the aim of the deadly weapon.
pressure was applied to the trigger, the
report rcsounded through the house
AID the son fell back upon his bed. GOV.
cred with blood, in the .hores of dea:h
David Redd had been a member OF
the police force for several years and
was consid red faithful ald efficient in
every regard. He was popular with
bis conraues aud enjoyed the full con6-
ienee of MS superior tfiser5. Up to
t@o years ago the deceased vas hale aud
hearty, but at that time bad cold was
contracted and i, rapidly developed in
TO consumption Mr. Redd steadily
retror-adej in heal h and wss conpejl-
ed by reason of his iliaess to lase uu n
time. He had been unable 70 respond
to bis duties for three days before his
death, although he had game to the up
per barracks frym his hcme, 2,007
Greene street, three times 70 report for
work ard each time was so weakened by
the wslk that be was unable to go out
with his squsd. This state of affairs
had a very depressing effect on the man
and sort of melancholy fixed itself
upon him
MIR. Redd left his house and went to
the barracks, in the hope that he would
be able to go out, but agsip the e1er
tion proved too much for him and he
had to sit at the barracks aud rest
he walked slowly back to his home in
West Eod, and on the way complained
10 several friends Of his deplorabls con-
dition. Arriving at home he had q
long talk with his mother, his wife and
little child being in another room. To
his mother he complained most bitterly
Of his ,oa dition and told her that he
intended killing himself, as he saw no
hope for an improvement in his condi-
ton. He further stated that he did
no. wish to become burden on his
wife and mother, the ones that he
should support aud sooner than do 50
he would blow his brains out. The
mother tried to d;ssuade him from such
thoughts, but never entertained the
idea that he contemplated immediate
action.
There was f1tter of some sort
among the poultry il the yard about this
time and he called his mothers atten
ton to it. The good old LADY went to
tn, door and looked out. When she
returned she was Mortified to see her
son sitting on the edge of the bed with
the pistol muzzle against his right tenn
pie. She screamed and dashed for.
ward, but too late. Coincideat with
her act the finger pressed tie trigger
and the bsll sped on its mission Of
death, and the fond parent saw her
child fall over on the bed, his brains
oczipg from a cruel wound in the head.
Mr.. Redd lived about 30 minutes, but
was unconscious all the while.
The ball had entered the head. jast
above the right ear and ploughcd its
way through the centre Of the brain,
making its exit jlst over the left ear.
Mr. Redd had realized his dangerous
condition for some time and on July 5:h
joined the church. The deceased
was 40 years ofage apd leaves wife
and child, besides other relatives.