The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-01-21
COMMITS SUICIDE.
MIR. A. E Dargan, Chief Of Police Of
Darlington, Kills Himself Sun
day Morning.

Il uC CldGS.
Darlington, Jan. 19.-This morn
ing at 10 o'clock the dead body OF
Mr.. A. E. Dargan, chief Of police,
was found in a room adjacent to ais
sleeping apartments. His death has
sadden5d the entire community, a
double sorrow being added to the
deep sense Of loss because Of She
tragic circumstances attending his
death.
The body, when discovered, was on
the floor, bullet hole was in the
| forehead. a revolver with one empty
chamber was near and death seemed
to have occurred some hours before.
Mr.. Dargan attended to his duties
Yesterday as usual, though MS sister,
at dinner, told him he seemed very
tired acld that he should take some
much needed rest. As usual he was
ND until II o'clock last night and be-
fore retiring, Mr.. Dargan instructed
Policeman Fields ITO call him at 10
'clock this morning. At this hour
the dead body was discovered IN an
unoccupied room across the passage
from Mr.. Dargan's room.
Mr.. H. Applet occupies a room ad-
joining Mr.. Dargaa's and he says
Mr.. Dargan was with him when they
went to their rooms last night. About
2 or 3 o'clock in the morning Mr..
Appelt thought he heard the report
of a pistol, but thought nothing OF 1t.
The pistol found belonged to Mr..
Dargan and was a Smith & Wesson
H-calibre. Although the attendant
circumstances suggest that this was
suicide those who know Mr.. Dargan
can not reconcile themselves to such
an opinion. The coroner's jury at
the inquest this after carefully con-
sidered all the facts and the autopsy
has been held by Drs. Edwards and
Coceshall. The jury announced no
verdict. but adjourned to meet again
Thursday. in order to have full pos
session of all available information,
before announcing their conclusion.
Circumstances Indicate Suicide.
There seems to be no real reason,
at least so far as is now known, why
the suicide theory should be other
than a matter of conjecture. The cir
cumstances seem, however, to lndl-
cate that Mr.. Dargan took MS own
life, but no reason for this has yet
been found. The funeral services will
be held at the Baptist church tomor-
row afternoon.
Mr.. Darean was a native Of Darl-
ineton and was 50 years old and un-
married. For about the past 20 or
25 years he has been cnief OF police,
position given him practically by
the entire community. His tragic
death will carry sorrow wherever ne
was known. It is not the enlogv OF
one who knew and loved him to say
that in this man the highest attrlbu-
teS of noblest manhood found their
natural home. This is the literal
truth. His heart was loyal. steadfast'
true. Duty was the watchword with
him always and to him the word fear
had no meaning. His courage vas
splendid, making complete the cool,
self-controlled man, capable OF meet
ing any emergency, Of being inst and
fair to all. Love and sympathy
lived in perfect blend in his daily
life and these characteristics not On
lv endeared him to his friends. but
formed a bond between him and
those with whom he came in contact
in the dihcharge Of his official du-
ties.
NT,--o,, ,1o- 4bora q nooro oranarOnS