Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-07-29
Suicide of W. S. BeIford
From the Oil City Derrick, July 2sth. I

Policeman Raynor, who was about to
arrest him for disorderly conduct, w.
S. Belford, a P. r. R., telegraph oper-
ator, shot himselfin the right side of
the neck shortly after 800 O'Clock,
Saturday afternoon. The jugular vein
was severed and he died in few
minutes.
Belford was employed at an. B."
tower, in the northern end of the local
yards. Some months ago Miss B. r.
Smith, of Wyattville, this county, a
former school teacher, was appointed
apupil operator by the company and
assigned to Bedford for instruction.
He took great interest in his pupil.
When she was qualified for position
she was given one of the towers in the
N. b. office, and later sent to the R.
f. tower at Rynd Farm. About two
months ago when the change in divis-
ions and superintendants took place,
she found herself without a position,
and has been making her home with
her cousin, who carries on rooming
house in the Downing block, on Seneca
street, near the corner of Duncomb
street.
Belford, a married man, with one
son II and another 8 years of age,
was smitten with his pupil, and her
friends say forced attentions upon
her that become so distasteful that
she refused to speak to him.
Saturday afternoon Bedford got
drunk and while in that condition
visited the room of III. L. Jones. in
the Downing block, a fellow operator
at the n. B. Office, and became so of
fensive that Jones put him out. Miss
Smith was in q room on the same
hall, and after leaving Jones, Belford
made his way to this room, and find
ing the door locked broke it open.
Patrolman Raynor responded to a call
and while going up a pair of stairs
leading to the third floor heard a
threat and looking up saw BeIford
taking aim at him with revolver.
The officer 'ducked." and an instant
later a bullet from Belford's gun
struck the plaster in the wall near
where Raynor's head had been. Ray
nor was under cover by that time and
a second shot was fred that struck
the wall of the staircase near the
ceiling.
After a short time Belford left and
went down stairs. Meantime Chief of
Police Reid arrived and sounded his
whistle for Raynor, expecting that
officer would take Belford from the
rear while he went up the front stairs.
Getting no response to this signal or
to his calls upon Raynor, the chief
started up stairs and met Bedford, re-
volver in hand, coming down. Bel
ford continued to approach the officer,
and then, quick rs flash, swung the
weapon up from his side where he had
been carrying it at arms length, plac-
ed the muzzle below his right ear
and pulled the trigger. Belford land
ed face down on the staircase II feet
or more below where he had been
standing. He was grasped by Chief
of Police Reid, who dragged him to
the street door. 1t was apparent that
the wound was a desperate one and
the officer called for a surgeon. He
died before the surgeon arrived.
No one familiar with the case CEN
sures Miss Smith. When she had
mastered the art of telegraphing un-
der the tutelage of the man, she
was given one of the tours in the n.
b. office. 1t was then that Belford
first began to annoy her with his at
tentions. These coming from a mar
ried man were offensive.
S. H. Belford, brother of the de-
ceased, arrived yesterday from Reno.
vo and with other relatives arranged
to leave this morning for Remove,
where the funeral services will be held
Tuesday.
Mr.. Belford was born in Sunbury,
October 21, 1870. He entered the
railroad service early in life and was
advanced to the position of train dis
patcher and then assistant trainmas-
ter. He contracted reckless habits
through drink, ,Iand was relieved from
his position about two years ago.
Soon afterwards ne came to Oil CITY
and was given a position in the tele-
graphing department OF the P. r. f.
His parents are dead.
The deceased stood we'll with the
people OF Remove, where he grew from
young manhood. He took an active
interest in town affairs and served
one term as a member of council.
Sousa was Here.
SOusa. of New York. renresentino,