Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-06-13
In a Fit of Deep DespondenCy At.
tributcd to III Health lie Shot
Himself on Wednesday.
USED RIFLE WITH AWFUL EFFECT
The Fatal Shot Completely DemoI-
ished the Upper Portion of the
Head and Face.

Enoch Lake. aged "a. killed himself
early last Wednesday morning at the
residence of Wilson Hatch on Beaver
creek. A 5000 Winchester was used
and the unfortunate mans head was
cmDletely shattered and the cornse
presented an awful spectacle when
found by Mrs. Hatch about noon. The
latal act was the result of i'll health
and despondency. The deceased was a
prother OF David Lake, who owns a
ranch at the head Of Cottonwood. He
came to Fergus county year ago Ia ST
fall, returned to his old home in Mich
lgan and this spring came out TO work
for Wilson Hatch in whose employ he
was at the time Of his death. The
news was brought to town about four
O'Clock on Wednesday by Otis I,ish
ana inside Of an hour Coroner Attix,
Or. Symmes, Hal Gibson and Deputy
Sheriff Martin were on their wav "a
the scene of the tragedy. On the ar
rival OF the party at the Hatch resi-
dence jury was gathered and an in
quest held on the body with the result
that verdict was reached in which
1t was faund that the deceased cama
to his death from wound caused bv
a bullet from 3O-3O Winchester rifle
fired by himself with suicidal intent
On Wednesday last Mr.. and Mrs
Hatch were in Lewistown for the mr.
pose OF taking home their three-year
old son who but a few days previously
had been brought to town to be treat
ed for an injury to his leg. A r
Hatch was riding for cattle and the
deceased was alone. Otis Lish and
Hatch both arrived at the ranch about
noon. at which time Mr.. and Mrs.
Hatch also returned. The dinner bell
rang. Lake did not show up and the
men went out to find him. Mrs Hatch
wanted something in the store room
at the top of the house and found Lake
lying stretched out on a mattress,
rifle beside him and the entire top of
his head shattered in a horrible man
ner. Blood and brains were freely
scattered over the contents of the room
and Mrs. Hatch was rendered hysteri-
cal by the horrifying spectacle.
On examination of the room occupied
by Lake, a letter was found from Ray
Addison, friend Of the deceased who
resided in Michigan. Lake had evil
IDENTIFY been Respondent in regard to
his health for some time and had de-
clared his intention of killing himself
as the writer of the letter gave hin
some sound advice on the subject. The
deceased was evidently desirous Of OBJ
an education and endeayoring
to pass the civil service examination.
He had requested Addison to send him
$l2, though for what purpose is not
known. The letter was a long one and
throughout Lake was advised to con-
tent himself until he could obtain suf-
flcient money to pay for an educational
course. The writer refused to send on
the money on the ground that such a
small amount would not do any good
ton. AT the bottom of the letter was
note in the handwriting of the de-
ceased with the following words: mo
use, Ray, l am lost. Good bye all.
Mother forgive me-" From the appear
ance of the note it would seem that
Lake had at first attached his sigma
ture but had torn it off, as letter or
two of the signature still remains.
The room in which Lake killed him.
SELF is used as a store room for grocer
les and other supplies and the de-
ceased packed in a mattress, evident
~ thinking that the bullet would just
make round hole and that the mat
tress would catch what blood would
come. He must have laid on the mat
tress and placed the muzzle of the gun
close to his head when he fired the
fatal shot as every bone in the head |
and face was shattered and pushed out |
If shape.
He evidently did not make struggle |
after the fatal shot was fired as he lay |
oefectly staight with the rifle by his |
side. The room was in terrible condi-
ton and portions of the dead mans !
brains and head We're found even in
the distant corner of the room.
The deceased mans mother is living |
with her other son. David Lake, at the
head Of Cottonwood Friends of the
1ead man are not at all surprised at
me tragic ending Of his life as he was
u decidedly melancholy tempre-
nent and addicted to fits of deep de-
Mrs. Hatch suffered a Sc
we're shock as the result of her grew