The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1902-05-14
TOOK HIS OWN LIFE.
\ Travelling Man Commits Suicide
in II Greenwood Hotel.

Mr.. w. II. Witchcr. travelling
man of Athens, Ga, committed sui
eide in the Oregon Hotel at Green
wood on Thursday night by shooting
himself in the head. lie was very
deliberate about the deed. On the
bed he had placed the clothing and
clean linen which he wanted used on
his body. He had even pat his cuff
links into clean cuffs. ON the bureau
were four letters addressed to J. j -.
McMahan. Athens. Ga: Il. Il. Nell
Athens, Ga; ". j. Wise, Columbia.
;. c., care Central hotel: and one to
Mr.. Crimson. proprietor OF the Orc
gOn hotel With the letters he had
place his purse containing $2l.j7 also
his watch.
He had Shut himself twice. the trst
bullet striking him back oG the right
ear had glanced around the base of
skull, making flesh wound. He had
been fellcd, however, by the shock.
Struggling up, after this drSt shot.
however, he had made his way to the
washStand and had attempted to pre-
pare SGme poison. The print of his
bloody fingers where he supported
himself while standing there could
be plainly seen. Tie glass in which
bfo bag nrfIRadfd hhaG t@oiftRE" rShfeHfd
to dissolve, for the remains OF two
tablets were seen in the bottom.
Making a second attempt with the
pistol he was successful. The bullet
entered just in front of the right ear,
and death was Instantaneous.
An inquest was held at once, al
though he stated in his letter to the
hotel proprietor that ii would be un-
necessary. The members OF Green
TwOod lodge No. 81. y. +. and y. NJ.
took charge of the body. Mr.. Wise
of Columbia, stated that he knew OF
no cause for the deed save that of de-
SpOndency. Mr.. Witcher had no bust
ness troubles that he knew of. Wit
cher was about u years old. He
| leaves a wife and four children il
| Athens, Ga. one married daughter
| two single daughters and son. He
was known here as the travelling rep
rcScutativc of Grayton \ Knight o
Atlanta. but recently had been repre-
Scuting soda concern. His letter tC
Mr.. Crimson is as follows:
Mr. Brinson:
My Dear Friend: | humbly ask You
pardon for the awful calamity whicl
has bciallen me inyOur house. oh. m
God, struggled against it but wa
pOwcrlCSS TO prevent il and / kHJ\
yOu will pity and forgive me. HOl
will find ON the last sheet the names q
parties who ask YOU TO telegraph I
rs soon as you find out my condition
| leave my watch, ValiSc and Samp!
case and purse. containing about -.
. You viii please pay for my board an
tclcgramS and give the balance to som
of my friends from Athens if they com
or send ii to Mrs. W. Il. Witchc
, Athens. Ga. with my valiSc, etc.
leave Ia letter TO my Masonic brcthrc
= of Greenwood which YOU Will pleas
= give them and ask them TO kind
grant my request and take care of N
: body and put it ina plain cheap ca
{ ket not to cost over SIS or go, as | Il
"a poor man. Don't embalm my bod
rs my family cannot stand the e
| pensc) ! have laid aside the Cloi hiI
which ! wish put on me. Hope yt
and my Masonic brethren VIII see tht
my body is sent to Athens care of '
r. Dorsey, master OF Mount Verne
; lodge, +. and \. NJ. as quick rs pc
SilJlt. NJ llNt 10 llNllb tll l'luNSA
Il letters show the facts. You know ii
train schedules from Athens and {
N lumbia and trust you will get the tel
r. grams of tonight 50 my friends {;
= come i'm on first early morning train
I. If the Western Union Office IS clos
~ when YOU know my condition. YOU m
get the railroad oliicc TO do the wO
l. and deliver the messages tonight. q
Is my God. this is terrible, but fate
I'd against me. and it had to come. Aga
lc | ask YOU 10 pity me and 10 let 1
is expense be is little as possible, a.
am a poor, unfortunate man and I
family will bc left i'm bad liz. trl
you and my good Masonic bTcthl
ld and Christ ian friends i'm Greenwood
lc grant me he request asked, and | pl
IN God to bless YOU and That lie "
N save my soul, aS ! believe He will,
- doing what could not be aVcrtcd.
IL Now ! commit this all TO you q
nj my friends i'm Greenwood, hclicv
cc YOU will do what | have asked, q
We praying Cod blessings, am
Ill Yours i'm death,
W. Il. Witchcr,
nm Athens, Ga