Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-02-24

SUICIDE AT
CROVANlA

About 8 O'Clock Friday afternoon.
freight crew Oh the Philadelphia and
Reading railroad saw a black object
lying in the snow several rods from
the tracks and about 100 yards this
side Of Grovania station. A closer OBJ
servatIon revealed it to be the body of
man. The railroad men immediate
ly notified a number of farmers of the
find, and the latter after reaching the
spot, recognized the dead man as Rob-
ert 8. Middleton, of Shamokin. The
remains we're then taken to the home
of his father in.law, David Heimbaoh,
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.
quire 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 neoes-
sary or demanded. Squire Oglesby em-
paneled provisional jury oonsistin q
of ]. O. Mincemoyer. Arthur l.. Davis,
Charles Fry, Stuart Hartman, Theo
R Angle and Alonzo Msuser. The
Jury proceeded TO view tine remains OF
the dead man, and examine the oon-
tents of his pockets. These consisted
of several note books and letters, an
empty pocket book. knife and q two
ounce bottle slightly over half full of
carbolie acid The latter was labeled
"Shissler' & 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
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. aud then started in the direc-
tion of Danville. Shortly after dinner
yesterday. a man answering the desorip-
tion of Middleton was seen BY All en-
ploye of the power house, walking on
the Reading railroad tracks in the
direction of this city, near the spot
where Middleton's body was found
few hours later.
Middleton for the past several weeks
had been making things very unpleas-
ant for his wife. He threatened to kill
her at different times since they were
married. 1t is said that he was subject
to periodical fits of insanity, and when
in that condition was very abusive.
On account of his cruelty and ill treat.
ment, Mrs. Middleton picked up her
two years old son and fed from her
homo in Shamokin, January IS, leav-
ing her years old child behind. She
weht to the home of her parents. Mr..
and Mrs. David HeImbsoh. Grovania.
with whom she is now living. On
Wednesday, February 10, constable
arrived at Grovsnis 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 for
her appearance at court. A counter war
rant was then issued charging Mid
deton with threatening to kill his
wife and holding up his father. in law
highly respected citizen of this
county. Ths documents were never
served
Although Mrs. Middleton had Ie-
oeived word from Shanokin that her
husband had left that city on Wednes.
day. she had no idea that he was III the
vicinity of Grovania. Before leaving
Shamokin at the time stated. Middle
ton is credited with having said to his
Jeais ohu sou ouu eoFoiai oo"o's :
"You will never see me again; the
Susquehanna river is large enough to
hold me-" He left town soon after,
and under the impression that he had
other intentions aud purposes on his
mind than that Of committing suicide,
word of his departure was sent to Mrs
Middleton.
The couple had been married mum
ber of years. and two children were
born to them-Ross Edgar, years of
age, and Paul Leonard, aged . years.
Middleton was carpenter. and when
at home in Shamokin, worked at the
Scott colliery.