Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1904-06-20
Was in His Fifty-seventh
Year--Had Been Suffer-
ing from MeIanchoIia.
DIED WITHIN AN HOUR.

ton committed suicide by shooting at
his home, 60 Water street, at 9:45
O'Clock this morning. He shot him
i self in the abdomen with n 80 calibre
long baIreled, target pistol He lived
for an hour after tie Shooting Mrs.
Compton was not Mt home at the time,
! having left the house to 90 up town
less than fifteen minutes before.
Mr.. Compton had been out for some
time this morning, OH walk along
the sho-o, and, while out, spoke to a
number of friends. He had been i'll
the house less than FIVE minutes when
his daughter, Miss Lola Compton, and
IL lady who was visiting the family,
| both of whom were in the kitchen at
the rear of the house, h card groans,
coming from the second floor. Rash
ing upstairs, they saw Mr.. Compton
| lying on the floor of Iris room.
When he saw the friend of the family
in the doorway. he exclaimed ooh !!
| I've shot myself!' A friend of the
household, who was in the house at
the time, went next door and tele-
! phoned for DIR. ]. G. Wilson, who
went to the house Immediately. He
found that Mr.. Compton was suffering
from an internal hemorrhage, and
that he could live but short time
Mr.. Compton was unable to recognize
his wife, who arrived q few minutes
later, or any of the members of his
family. He died at 0:45 O'Clock.
When he was found, the door of
his room, which is at the left of the
house, was not locked. He left no
note explaining the reason for his
deed. 1t is supposed TO have been
melancholia, from which he had
suffered for several years. His actions
for the last few days had not been at
all strange, but no had suffered
great deal of physical pain recently.
Mr.. Compton's eldest daugh ter,
Mrs. Luis Francisco Mora, wife of the
artist, with her husband 9 were
at their cottage at Wrenthon, Mass.
where Mr.. Compton's aged IN other,
Mrs. Emma E. d. Compton, was visit
ing. They were notified and at once
started for this city.
Only one chamber of the pistol was
empty, the first shot having taken
effect.
n
seventh year of his age, having boen
born in the old Compton homestead,
near the site of L. T.. FoX's office,
at 43 Smith street, on November 18th.
1917. Ho was the father of eight
chlldrcn, five of whom are living.
They are Mrs. Luis Mora, Lola, AL
tired, Lewis and William.
Mrs. Compton, whom he married
February Z, 1876, was Miss Emma
DeBow, of this city. His father,
George Alfred Compton, died in 1888.
His grandfather, Lewis Compton, who
owned large tracts of land in this
city, died in 1866.
Mr.. Compton had always resided
in this city. He early became as
sociated with the real estate business,
and, for m any years, was associated
with f. L. Fox. He was one of the
most popular men in this city and
held number of offices. He was a
staunch Democrat. He was a member
of the Board of Freeholders for two
terms, collector of revenue for four
teen years, councilman for one term,
school commissioner for one term and
was, in 1898 elected mayor. He served
his term with honor to himself and
the municip ality, and was, i'll 1900,
re re-elected He resigned in 1901 on
account of failing health, his resigna-
tion being greatly regretted.
Mr.. Compton leaves q considerable
personal estate.
A large number of friends called at
the house this m orning upon hearing
the news sof Mr., Oompton's death.
Mrs. Compton was overcome with
or ief, but bore herself with remark
able fortitune.
Rev. ]. II. Owens, former pastor of
the First Presbyterian church, which
Mr.. Compton family attended, has
been in town for several days. He
had left town, but is expected to come
to this city for the funeral.
1t is not expected that any action
will be taken by the co roncr's office