The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-11-04
a. a . DO OCTOR SUICIDES.
Tho Tragic End to Family auarrels
Over Religious Matters.
SAD AFFAIR OVER IN SUM TER

* Ss01 xsVA1k AVub Matlef6.
SAD ATFA1R OVER IN SUM TER.
Dr.. Van Telbure Hoffman Severely
Beats Hia Wife and Then Blow
His iownl Brains Out
With Shotgun.
DE-. Van Telburg Holman commit
tea suicide Monday morning about 8
O'Clock at his residence, 1874 south
Main street Sumter, S. c., by shoot
Ing the left side and top of his head
LON with breechloading shotgun.
A special dispatch to The State says
ne did the deed while standing-plac.
Ing the muzzle Of the gun near the
corner OF bis left eye and pulling the
Trigger with his right thumb. He
was round on his back, his head near
tne wall aud the gun lying across his
Douy. Brains were spattered against
tne wall and ceiling and pieces of skull
), were found on the filor. Coroner
- tlowers held an inquest at 10 80
o'clock and the jury rendered q verdict
tnaJ the deceased came to his death
oy gunshOt wound IL fl cteu by his
own hand.
IL is stated that the direct cause of
tne suicide was quarrel with his
mite, whom he beat Monday morning.
Inc couple had not lived peaceably to-
ReGner since their marriage On one
occasion, several months ago, he beat
us Wire unmercifully-so much so
.hat she called Ia another physician
70 Great her. JThis physician went to
norman and told him that the next
time such a, thing occurrt d he would
ee exposed and punished. It is beliey
90 that when he repeated the act
monday morning he preferred death
rather than exposure. J,
The servants state that they had
not oeen on peaceable terms for sew
eral days; that they quarreled Sunday,
ana IL was renewed at the breakfast
taole MONDAY morning Mrs. Hof-
man ieft the table for the parlor.
st4aa Ting That she would pack up and
leave on the next train. He followed
her to heparlor, and moment later
grabbed her by the shr ulders and beat
her head against the wall and COO
facing. He then went out and licked
her inside, but she escaped through
WINDOW opening on the piazza to
ne1ghbor's house q few feet away,
screaming and blood streaming down
her face. When the doctor returned
and found her gone he shot himself.
Some believe that it was his purpose
to first kill her. He was man of
'ery Violent tempar when aroused,
and 1t was all done In a moment of
insane madness.
Many rumOrS are in circulation as
TO why they disagreed, religion being
given by some, but the whole trouble
eeems to have been uncongeniality,
different temperaments and tastes.
Dr. Van Telburg Holman was torn
IN Holland 38 years ago. He came to
Sumter in 1899 from Norfolk. Va. to
Take charge OF the relief department
OF this division Of the Atlantic Coast
Line. He had very fine practice in
Sumter and was considered as man
making money. He was assistant sur
geon at Moods infrmary, member Of
The board Of health, officer in Sumter
training School for Nurses, surge on Of
the Atlantic Coast Line, instructor In
physiology and hygiene at ST. Joseph's
academy, member of She knights of
Phythias, Woodmen of the World, b..
T. 0. e. and the Catholic church. He
was popular man, courteous and
kind in his dealings with his fellow
man.
Dr. Holman was very highly edu
Gated. He was graduate Of uni
versity Of his native country, of Bell.
vue Medical college, New York, and
Richmond Medical college. He had
considerable experience practcing in
hospitals. He married Miss Lconora
Russell of Newberry, daughter Of j. S.
Russell, deceased, and niece OF State
Treasurer jennings =, They married
after a very short acquaintance.
/ Before her marriage Mrs Holman
clerked for Ryttenberg & ST MS, and
schwartz Bros. OF that city, ana h.r
old employers speak in the ye.y
highest terms OF her as a lady OF
character and refinement, and all
others who know her we'll speak the
same way. Shs is consistent member
of the Metl d st church and loved by
the Cflicials and members of that
church. The neral OF DR.. Holman
took place at the convent chape.
Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock and the
interment at IL cemetery Immediate
ly afterward.