The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-11-04
..A ID OCTOR SUICIDES.
Tho Tragic End to Family Quarrels
Over Religious Matters.
SAD AFFAIR OVER I'M SUMTER.

Beats His Wife aud Then Blew
Hiu iOwn.I Brains Out
sSsE With a Shotgun.
DR.. Van Telburg Holman commit
ted suicide Monday morning about 8
O'Clock at his residence, l24 south
Main street Sumter, s. c., by shoot
Ing the left side and top of his head
goff with a breechloading shotgun.
{ A special dispatch to The State says
he did the deed while standing-plac-
Ing the muzzle OF the gun near the
corner of his left eye and pulling the
trigger with his right thumb. He
was found on his back, his head near
the wall aud the gun lying across his
body. Brains were spattered against
the wall and ceiling and pieces of skull
:: were found on the fl)or. Coroner
Flowers held an inquest at 10 80
= O'Clock and the jury rendered a verdict
That the deceased came to his death
by gunshot wound IL fl cted by his
own hand.
1t Is stated that the direct cause OF
the suicide was quarrel with his
VIE, whom he beat Monday morning.
Inc couple had not lived peaceably to-
gether since their marriage. On one
occasion, several months ago, he beat
his wife unmercifully-so much so
that She called Ia another physician
60 treat her. OThis physician went to
Holman and told him that the next
tlme such a,thiDg occurrt he would
lYnnCQn &c t. L.
sd that when he repeated the act
monday morning he preferred death
raGher than exposure. ii
The servants state that they had
not been on peaceable terms for sew
eral days; that they quarreled d Sunday,
ana IL was renewed at the breakfa
table Monday morning. Mrs. Hof-
man left the table for the parlor,
Stsatlag ssaattlag Araat she would pack up and
leave on the next train. He followed
her to the-parlor, and moment later
grabbed her by the sh ulders and beat
her head against the wall and COO
racing. He then went out and Licked
her inside, but she escaped through
window opening on the piazza to
neighbor's house a 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 a man of
iery Violent Jempor when aroused,
and 1t was all done in moment OF
insane madness.
many rumors are In circulation as
to why they disagreed, religion being
given by some, but the whole trouble
seems 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 infirmary, 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 The knights of
Phythias, Woodmen of the World, b.
T. 0. e. and the Catholic church. He
was a 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 practicing in
hospitals. He married Miss Leonora
Russell of Newberry, daughter of j. S.
EuSsef, deceased, and niece OF State
Treasurer Jennings: =. They married
after very short acquaintance.
Before her marriage Mrs. Holman
clerked for Ryttenberg s. S, ms, and
/. Schwartz Bros OF that city, ana h.r
old employers speak in the very
highest terms OF her as lady OF
character and refinement, and all
others who know her we'll speak the
same way. Shs is a consistent member
of the Metlt d st church and loved by
the Officials and members of that
church. The neral Of DR.. Holman
took place at the convent chape
Tuesday morning at o'clock and the
interment at IL e cemetery Immediate
]y afterward.
nj I1r,a