Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-02-21
HIRAM sARDlN SUICIDES.
The Rash Deed Caused by pe.pond
sney Over Money Matters.

Hiram Bardin died about noon yes.
terday at his home on the Lower La
Plata from the effects of gunshot
and razor wounds inflicted by his
own hands, the particulars of which
are tragic
JACK Real, who came to Durango
this morning for casket, saws he
happened to be at Bardin's place ear.
~ Yesterday morning, where he is
feed'ng some sheep. He saw Bardin
ana talked with him about some mat
ters Defore breakfast. The morning
meal being ready. Bardin and the
rest OF the family, which included
some renters and sheep herderg. sat
down to the table, Real going about
his business.
The meal passed of as usual. Bar.
din finishing ahead of the others. He
went directly to his room and In n
lew minutes shot was heard. but
as 1t sounded as II 1t was from the
outside, no attention was paid to 1t.
Then followed another report, which
indicated tho direction of Bardins
room, and rush was made to see
"""e won NuhiHB
Just as Bardin's son and others en-
tered the room, they saw the former
standing up with gun in his hand,
the muzzle being placed uador his
chin. Before they could interfere
third shot was fired and Bardin fell
to the floor. His chin and nose were
torn on and the face badly mutilated.
Supposing him dead. those who wit
messed tho spectacle rushed from the
room to summon help. but returning
inside of ten minutes frightful sight
met their eyes. Bardin had gotten
up, taken key from his pocket, un-
locked his trunk, taken out razor.
and with this instrument was standing
in front of glass slashing away at
his neck,
He was dlsarmel and medical aid
summoned as hastily as possible, Dr.
condit of Aztec responding to the
call. The poor man survived about
six hours and was conscious most of
the time.
Before expiring he made will
and the fact was ELECTED from him
that he had taken his own life owing
to dependency. According to his
statement Bardin was rather hard
pushed for money, and he was afraid
those holding mortgages on his prop
erty might foreclpse at any time.
Hiram Bardin has been resident
Of this section for the past eight or
nine years. having n flock of several
thousand sheep and ranging them In
the vicinity of Hesperus during the
summer and on the Lower La Plata
during the winter months.
1t will be remembered that he was
attacked by II. G. Coppinger and Fred
Harrison over range differences about
eighteen months ago, and was laid
up at Mercy hospital for some time.
his life being despaired Of for awhile.
When the news of his tragic ending
was received here 1t was at first
thought that perhaps the effects of the
wounds received at that time might
haveb rOught about temporary de-
rangement. At any rate the general
public has been under the general
impression that deceased was quite
well of, at least in comfortable cir
cumstances
Mr.. Bardin has been separated from
his wife for some years, she residing
on the Mapcos. daughter and son
made their home with the father, the
daughter being in Pagosa Springs at
the present time. The son is about
~ years of age.
Jack Real left La Plata postoffice
at o'clock this morning. and after
securing a casket and attending to
before the noon hour