The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1909-01-07
GENIAL bob" SHIRLEY
Worried by Financial Troubles
Ends His Life With
A Bullet.

Robert Shirley, for eight years
sheriff of Churchill County, and one Of
the most competent officers we have
ever had, is dead. While the coroner's
verdict of suicide, renders no possible
doubt as to the manner, yet the citi-
zens of this community are very lien
ent in their condemnation of his act.
A man of strong personality and
forceful nature, he had for his friends
almost the entire population of Chur-
chill County. The office of sheriff
here is very responsible one, such Off
Ger being reponsible for many differ
ent state and county taxes. During
the past four months Sheriff Shirley
has handled many hundreds of dollars
and his books show but a very small
shortage, which he could have straight
ened out with but little difficulty.
This was certainly not a plausible
cause for an act of self-destruetion.
There is no evidence or accusation of
dishonesty simply case of misappro-
priation. Such could and would have
been rectified by his friends had he but
given them the chance. But Bob
had strong ideas of right and wrong
ard was greatly worried for some time
before his death. On Monday morning
he babe his family a tender farwell
saying that he was going out after a
man and would not be back in time for
the noon-day meal. His manner was
so affected that one of his daughters
and Frank Ferguson feared that he
was becoming demented and followed
him toward the depot. They followed
him to William Cascagnette's saloon.
He sent them back to his Office after
some letters. Mr.. Shirley then told
Mr.. Caseagnette that they would have
their last drink together, leaving i'm
mediatelv. Soon-a shot was heard at
about l1:20 a. m. and Bob" was found
with a bullet hole through his head,
seated on pile of lumber at the ex-
treme east end of the fonopah Lumber
Company's Yard. He was taken to
Sam Rocky,s house and later to Black 8
Undertaking Parlors. He breathed for
an hour and half but never became
conscious.
Deceased wrote several letters to
his wife and family and also to several
friends. All of or most of the letters
were dated December 30 1908 which
shows that he had been contemplating
this rash act for several days. He
spoke of his wife in the most endearing
terms. That he gave a thought of the
life hereafter is evidenced by the find
ing Of a testament on his body.
Following is one of the letters
December, 80, 1908.
Mr.. G. W. Likes and. Brothers,
You will be surprised, / have no
doubt, when you read this note. re-
gret the step am about to take but |
have made up my mind to end my
troubles and sleep in peace. Drinking,
gambling, and some of my good friends
have led me to try final destruction.
My request as to my body-I leave it
to be disposed as our Fraternal Order
sees fit. My dues have been paid to
the LIST of the year, A. D., 1909. Nav
God bless you.
Yours etc,
Robt. Shirley.
The body was removed to the home
Tuesday morning.
Roberu Shirley was a member of the
Knights of Pythias and of the Fratern-
al Order of Eagles.
Funeral services were conducted un-
der the auspices of the order of
Knights of Pythias, of which the de-
ceased was member, Wednesday at /
2 O'Clock p. m. from the Methodist |
Episcopal Church, Rev. Price officiat-
ing.
Robert Shirley was born at Drytown .
California, August 81. 1853. He came
to Nevada when he was about 20 years
of age, working for w. w. Williams /
at Westgate. He also spent a number
of years around Saltwater. Deceased
was married to Laura Gregg in Reno
on July, 4, 1884. The wife is a native
of Clayton, Missouri. To this union
were born II children as follows. Mrs.
Eli Hardy, and Charley Shirley, born
in Reno; Nora, Archie. Abbie, Linnie,
Merritt, lola Louise, Perry, Dorothy,