Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-02-23
SUICIDE AT
GROVANIA

About 3 O'Clock Friday afternoon,
a freight crew on the Philadelphia and
Reading railroad saw a black object
living in the snow several rods from
the tracks and about 100 yards this
side of Grovauia station. A closer OBJ
servatlou revealed it TO be the body of
man. The railroad men immediate
ly notified number of farmers of the
find, and the latter after reaching the
spot, recognized the dead man as Rob
ert s. Middleton, of Shamokin. The
remains were then taken to the home
of his father-in-law, David Heimbach,
near where they were found, and the
authorities notified of the death.
There being no Justice of the Peace
in Cooper township and none nearer
than Danville, Squire William V.
Oglesby went up from this city to in
uuire into the case He was accom-
panied by Chief of Police Minoemoyer
and several others Not deeming an
inquest necessary at that time, but to
be prepared to hold one at any time in
the future should it be found neceS-
sary or demanded, Squire Oglesby en-
paneled provisional jury conslstin
of ]. G. Minoemoyer, Arthur l.. Davis,
Charles Fry, Stuart Hartman, Theo.
R. Angle and Alonzo Mauser. The
jury proceeded 10 view tine remains OF
the dead man, and examine the con-
tents of his pockets. These consisted
of several note books and letters, an
empty pocket book, knife and two
ounce bottle slightly over half foil OF
carbolic acid. The latter was labeled
Shissler 5 pharmacy, Shamokin street,
Shamokin. >
Statements made by witnesses pres
ent, showed that Middleton was first
noticed in Grovania on Thursday af.
ternoon. He was seen entering the
place on freight train. Then at
O'Clock that evening, Guy Mowrey saw
a man who answered description OF
Middleton, coming up the lane from
the power house. He walked up to the
Bloom road. then to the stone quarry.
FROM there he returned to the trolley
tracks, and then started in the diree.
tion of Danville. Shortly after dinner
yesterdays a man answering the descrip-
tion of Middleton was seen by an EN-.
pioye of the power house, walking on
the Reading railroad tracks in tie
direction Of this city, near the spot
where Middleton's body was found
a few hours later.
Middleton for the past several weeks
had been making Things very unp,eas-
ant for his wife. He threatened 10 kill
her at different times since they were
married. 1t is said that he was subjec CT
TO periodical fits of insanity, and when
in that condition was very abusive.
On account of his cruelty and i'll treat
ment, Mrs. Middleton picked up her
two years old son and fed from her
home in Shamokin, January IS, leav-
ing her 4 years old child behind She
went to the home of her parents, Mr..
and Mrs. David HeImbauh. Grovania.
with whom she is now living. On
Wednesday, February -, a constable
arrived at Grovania with a warrant,
sworn out by Middleton and charging
his wife, Minnie Middleton, with de
sertion. She was arrested, and sub.
sequently gave bail in the sum OF $500
before Justice of the Peace Oglesby foI
her appearance at court. A counter war.
rant was then issued charging Mid
dleton with threatening to kill ms
wife and holding up his fatheT-in-law
highly respected citizen Of this
county. The documents were neyeI
| served.
Although Mrs. Middleton had re
oeived word from Shamokin that he,
husband had left that city on Wednes
day, she had no idea that he was III tht
vicinity of Grovania. Before leaving
Shamokin at the time stated, Middle
ton is credited with having said to hi
4 years old son aud several others
"You will never see me again TIN
Susquehanna river is large enough t.
hold me-" He left town soon after
and under the impression that he ha'
other intentions and purposes on hi'
mind than that of committing suicide
word of his departure was sent to Mrs
| Middleton.
The couple had been married mum
Der of years, and two children wer
born to them-Ross Edgar, 1 years 0
age, and Paul Leonard. aged , years
Mid dileton was carpenter, and whe
at home in Shamokin, worked at th
Scott colliery.