The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-03-01
Well-Known Dealer in Farm
Implements Shot
Himself
WHILE DRIVING HOME
FROM BUSINESS TRIP
Had Been Suffering from a
Nervous Breakdown
Recently

! A. w. Allen, prominent local dealer
in farming implements, committed sui
eide near his home on the Plainiield road
last night around 6:30 o'clock by sending
bullet through his head with a 32-eai-
bre automatic Colt revolver. The act
was committed within few rods from
the Allen homestead Just as Mr.. Alln
was returning home by team from a bus
mess trip to Calais. With its dead
driver on the seat in the sleigh, the
horse continued the journey home and
| il was not until it had pulled up in the
yard near the house that the hired man,
who went out TO take care of the horse,
learned of Mr.. Aliens condition.
At first it was thought that he had
been overcome by a fainting spell, but
when the body was removed to the house
the truth was learned DIR. NJ L. Chan
der was called, but life was extinct be-
fore he arrived. The physician sum
moned Health Officer DIR. L. II. Bailey of
Barre Town, who pronounced it case
of suicide.
The mans deed is aseribed to over
work and a nervous breakdown. Although
he seemed to be in his usual good spirits,
he had expressed desire for relaxation
from business cares and latterly intense
fatigue had affected his sleep. Mr.. Allen
left home yesterday morning ostensinly
bound for Caais, where he was to in
stall a separator for customer. He
came to the w. G. Reynolds store in the
city and secured revolver, explaining
that the weapon was to be taken out on
memorandum for friend in the country
who contemplated purchasing gun. 1t
is known that he transacted his business
in Calais, setting out for home near
night
Physicians, who examined the body de-
clare that death must have been instan-
taneous. The gun was directed at tile
head near the right temple. the bullet
passing through the band of the maa's
cap to TIL. other side. For the reason
that the body was still warm, it is be-
lieyed that the shooting must have
taken place short distance up the
Plainfield road from Sunnyside farm. No
one heard the report The gun was found
IN the sleigh at Mr.. Aliens feet.
Besides his wife, Mr.. Allen leaves
laughter, Miss Mary Allen, step
laughter, Miss Villa Marsh, and ,tep-
'on, Stanley Marsh, all but the latter
~ lHE Ill MI. 4AldIsA IL tHHptgAfu
IS travelling salesman by the Richard
on Manufacturing Co., with territory
n Rhode Island ard Massachusetts.
The deceased was born in Bangor Me-,
20, 1865. He came to Barre in
sol and shortly afterwards engaged in
he farm machinery business. Prior TO
hat time he had been empoyed in the
interest of an implement company for
early eighteen years. His marriage to
lrs. Minnie Skinner Marsh took place
n August, 1901.
Through his agency for several stand
I'd implements of agriculture, Mr.. Allen
eeame widely known throughout Wash
ngton and Orange counties. For some
ime he conducted large display room
n South Main street with warehouses
II Granite street. He belonged to
zeal lodge of the New England Order of
rejection and was also tireless worker
! the Progressive party cause, At the
me of his death he was the Washington
)unty member of the Progressive state
and throughout the last cam
aign he was familiar figure at nearly
very party rally in the county
Mr.. leu was a member and vestry-
ian of ne Church of the Good Shepherd.
e was active in the chureh's singing or
and had long been member
the vested choir He possessed
arm and friendly disposition and was
fted with faculty for making friends
herever he went He was a reader of
, mean ability and his services were in
.mand ip many circles. For several
,ars he had been a lay reader at the
lurch of the Good Shepherd.
The funeral arrangements have not
en made.