Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-05-22
JOHN M. GRAVES, A FORMER BAR
TON BOY, SHOOTS HIMSELF IN
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

On Saturday, May 18th, John M. Graves
shot himself through the heart in his
| room in the New York block at 1T Chest
nut street, Springfield, Mass. The body
was not found until about o'clock the
following day when the cham bermaid
went to his room. Graves had wrapped
81 caIlber revolver in a towel, presumably
to deaden the report, and shot through the
towel and through his heart and death
was almost instantaneous, it is thought.
Tie only motive for the act was that he
was tired of life as he stated in letter
found on the dresser when the body was
found. 1t read as follows: 81 am tired OF
living, and have nothing to live for.
Please notify my father, Charles Graves, 6
George street, Pawtucket, r. I as soon as
1 am found" Signed, ~. NJ. Graves" He
was last seen by Frank E. Owen, Saturday
afternoon about o'clock and there was
nothing unusual about his condition at
that time. Nothing was heard Of him
after that. At the usual hour Sunday
morning the cham bermaid went to Graves
room to do the work, unlocked his door,
and seeing him in bed supposed that he
| was asleep and went away. The proprie-
| tor of the house became alarmed about
O'Clock Sunday afternoon and went into
the room and found the young man IN bed,
the revolver on the floor and bullet wound
| at his breast. But one barrel of the revolt
yer has been discharged. Mr.. Owen noti-
fed Patrolman Tiffany of the death, and
Medical Examiner E. A.!Bates was called
| in soon ait srwaids and viewed the BODY.
After close examination Mr.. Bates gave
| his verdict as suicide. That the young man
| had contemplated taking his life was ap-
parent In every part OF the room. He had
packed his gripsack neatly, folded his
t oasers and hung his coat and vest over
chair, and placed the clock on the dresser
| facing the bed. No light was left burning
| In the room and this fact is what led those
| who saw the body to believe that the deed
was committed on Saturday afternoon.
Miss Florence Pratt, who occupied room
adjoining Graves, heard no sound, nor did
other dodgers hear pistol shot. Mr.
Charles Graves, father of the young man,
who lived in Barton for several years but is
| HOW Tt Ill 6othtc OCd1CA "a o"eoSN~t3 A~'-''
makes the following statement:
"My son, previous to leaving Pawtucket,
had complained more or less Of pains in
his head. During visit to Barton, VT,
In August, 1903, WHEN his mother died, ne
met with an accident, pile OF lumber top
ping over on him. He sustained several
decorations of the scalp, and l believe that
the injuries he received at that time had
an effect on his mind"
The young man was well thought OF by
Mr.. Curtis who employed him in Paw
tucket. He was of steady habits and con-
scientious in the discharge of all duties
assigned him and was popu ar with all
who knew him. He was In his 23rd year, a
graduate of Barton academy. The body
was brought here for interment and the
funeral was held from the Congregational
church Tuesday afternoon, Rev. w. A.
Warner officiating. John Graves was
born In Barton and was % years, months
and 16 days old. He leaves q father
Charles Graves, now OF Pawtucket, r. 1.
and one brother, Charles D. Graves o.
Lyndonville, besides a large circle o.
friends to mourn his untimely loss.