Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-09-10
TRAGIC death Of
v. A. SHEPPERSOA

our CITIZENS yesterday morning were
shocked to learn Of the sudden death
of our townsman, William A. Shep-
person. Death, it would seem, was
self-infiicted and no doubt, grew out
of a nervous and despondent frame of
mind incidentalito al physicalN break
down.
The dreadful news reached this city
about 10 O'Clock in. the forenoon. The
unfortunate man, it would seem, at
Danville or a some point east Of it
took the 8 10 D. L. & W. train, west.
Somewhere between sDanville and
Northumberland he entered the toilet
room of the car. This was the last seen
of him alive.
When the coaches were pulled from
the main track to the siding at North
umberland Gabriel Wenrick, an en-
ploye, became convinced that there
was q man in one of the closets. He
notified the ticket agent, Robert Scott,
who made an investigation. The door
of the toilet roomswassunlocked. Mr..
Shepperson was sitting upright, dead,
his body nearly cold. On the floor be
side him lay bran.new revolver.
pool of blood revealed the rest. The
bullet had penetrated the roof Of the
mouth, passing through the brain and
lodging against the base of the skull.
Death had been practically instantane-
Gus.
in the pocket Of the dead man was
note. addressing his wife in endearing
terms, reminding:her of his.struggles
and telling her. .thatfhe could" bear it
no longer y. Hesadvised her.to sell one
of the farms and to apply the proceeds
to educating the children. He explain
ed that there was enough money left
by him.to.keep.his family comforta-
bly,.
Before the body was removed from
the car both the authorities at Scran-
ton and Coroner Dreher were notified.
Later the body was taken in charge by
local undertaken. The wife of the
unfortunate man employed John Dost-
er's Sons of this city to take charge of
the body. John Doster went to North
cumberland on the 12 :51 p. IN. train ex-
pecting to return with the body at
"A clock. Coroner Dreher, how
ever, found it inconvenient to visit
Northumb berland yesterday afternoon
70 nnt1
O'Clock this morning. Pending the in
quisition he refused to permit the
body to be removed. II possible it will
be brought to Danville on the 1919
train this forenoon.
Where Mr.. Shepperson embarked on
the train is problematical. He is
known to have taken the S 20 trolley
car for Bloomsbury. He was on the
car when he passed Alfred Blecher's
farm near Grovania and waved his
hand to Mr. Blecher as he passed
Somewhere above, most likely at Rup-
ert, he must have mounted the D. L.
& W. passenger train, west bound.
That he was in highly nervous state
and irresponsible is clearly indicated
by his aimless movements Indeed, the
evidence is not lacking that before
leaving Danville he contemplated the
very act that he committed on the
train.
The deceased was AZ years Of age.
He is survived by his widow and two
daughters, Grace and Helen, all of
whom have the sympathy of the entire
community in this their hour Of deep
affliction.
Mr.. Shepperson was contractor
and frequently handled heavy opera
tions. He was member of Mahoning
lodge No. 516 +. & A. NJ, and was
widely known.
The funeral will take .place.I Friday
| afternoon and will.be' private.
IApANEG GE DANCE