Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-04-06
Took His Own Life.

While in a state OF unaccOunted
for melancholia, Mr. Clay Gum, aged
about "a years, took his own life on
Sunday evening last. He was son
of Peter Gum, Esq,a well-known and
respected citizen of the Back Creek
valley, near Meadow Dale,
The news of the sad affair cast a
gloom over the entire neighborhOod
and was heard with deep regret
wherever Mr.. Gum and his family
were known.
Priorto the Christmas holidays,
Mr. Gum had spent several years in
the West. About that time he and
his brother, Paul. came iii OIL a WIS.,
it to the old home. They remained
until February 2S, when they start
ed on their return to their distant
homes. The two went together as
far as Cincinnati, where they sep
arated, Paul going to Colorado, and
Clay to Montana. Two weeks lat
err, withou! being announced, Clay
walked into the old home at Mead
ow Dale, much to the surprise OF
his father and other relatives.
His explanation of the unexpect-
ed return was that his former
"boss'' had left, and that he found
mining interests so much un-
settled that he became discouraged
and decided to return again. 1t
was ascertaired. however, by some
means that he had travelled, during
his short absence, something like
5000 miles. His melancholy state
was noted by some members OF his
family, nut no alarm was felt. On
Sunday he ate hearty dinner, and
seemed in good health and spirits
when his parents started for the
three o'clock service at Pisgah. at
which particular time he was sup
posed to be in his room asleep. His
brother Dennis, who remained al
home also. heard him leave the
house, if we are correctly informed,
and both he and other members OF
the family supposed that Es had
gone to u neighbours house, feel
ing no alarm until late in the
evening, and after fruitless in
quiries had been made in every di.
rection.
1t was then decided to organize a
searching party, which was done
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and the search was continued until
midnight, but with no result.
The hunt was resumed early
Monday morning, and, about {
o'clock, his body was found few
hundred yards west Of the house
in the old sugar-orchard. He la,
cold and lifeless by the side of
small stump, from which he haf
apparently fallen. An empty 81
pistol and an ugly wound in thu
right temple. told the sad tale.
Justice N. B. Wood was notified
aud, acting as coroner, summoned
jury Of inquest, the verdict Of
which was that Of suicide, without
doubt.
A day or two previous to the sui
eide he had unpacked his trunk ant
burned many old letters and othe
things which he, apparently, dit
not care to preserve, during which
time the old pistol, with which h
took his life, was laid on the bed
The weapon, when found by tn
body on Monday morning was en-
tirely empty.
Mr.. Gum was pleasant, agreea
BILE young man, beliksd by all VIII
knew him, and during his shor
business life, had succeeded an
prospered. i,
His father and immediate friend
are heart broken over the sad event
and they havs the sincere symrath.
of host Of friends.
The funeral took place abou
: noon. Tuesday, at Green Hill, tn
resting place Of his mother and on
E ly sister. The services were cor
3 Quoted by Rev. W. Trimble, 9
the PRESBYTERIAN church, in tn
presence of a large crowd OF friend
J. and sympathizers. %
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