The Springdale news., 1914-03-20
SUICIDE AT EiKINS
George Fritts Shoots Hmsey as
 Result of III Health.

Elkins, Ark, March 16- George Fritts, d blacksmith, aged twenty two, Sunday night at 9:30 o'clock shielded by shooting himself through the heart
 It is believed that the tragedy was brought on by ill-hea1th as the deceased had of late complained considerably of his physical unfit ness for the work he was engaged in However. the suicide came as a shock to the entire community.
 Mr Fritts was son of Dan Frtts. of Thorney (Madison County and is survived by both parents, one sister, Miss Gertie, also of fhorney; and five brothers, Will, of Green Forest. Claud and Willis, of Thorney, and Elmer and Lester, of Fayetteville. He has many relatives and friends in both Washington and Benton counties At the time of tue tragedy, he was living with a cousin, G. w. Lucas of Elkins, and
 
 t1at he killed himself Mrs c. W. Lucas and w. D. Lucas are also cousins of the deceased.
 As had been his custom for some time, young Fritts spent Sunday af. ternoon with Miss Esner Galor, and remained to supper as usual on Sun- day evening. While talking to Miss 3alor he remarked that he was go- ing to kill himself tonight, but she paid the remark but little at tention, thinking it to have been made in jest She was mortified when she learned the truth this morning
 He arrived at the home of c. w. Lucas Sunday evening at his usual time, about nine o'clock. Mr and Mrs. Lucas had retired. When Mrs. Lucas suggested that he go into kitchen and get something to eat, he replied that he had ready had supper but would like to write letter He was given p.n and ink with which he wrote his last words, which by his request are withheld from publication Relatives said that the note contained no explanation of his conduct The note was eight pages loag and was written with steady hand.
 After writing the letter he stepp- ed out of the house, and with the doors opened in order that he might be heard by Mir and Mrs Lucas said, Goodnight to all. There was brief silence.
 Suspecting the action through in- tuition, Mrs. Lucas reused her hus- band and exclaimed George is go- ing to kill himself but before he could be prevented the fatal shot had been fired. The bullet passed upward and directly through his heart Death was instantaneous.
 Fritts was unmarried. The eoro- ner's jury will meet this afternoon and will in all probability render verdict that he came to death at his own hand
 He will be buried Tuesday after noon in the Wesley grave yard hear l Thorney and nterment will take place beside d sister who died two years ago. This was a request con tained in his last note.
 tho InaptipO nf tln rifV pAIInpfI Wednesday night of last week an ordinance was introduced granting franchise to the Fayetteville Gas x Electric Company for furnishing lights in Springdale. and an ordi- nance regulating rates for electricity for light and power. An ordinance was passed taxing electric light and telephone poles 50 cents each per year The council adjourned to meet again last night to further consid- CT the electric light ordinances.
 Drs. D. Christian and F. B. Young of this place attended the meeting Of the medical society of the Tenth Councillor District at Fort Smith Tuesday. More than sixty members were in attendance. Dr. J. A. Fergus of Rogers was elected president. pr. Young tells The News that every body in Fort Smith seems to be for Senator Clarke, and of the visiting physicians he heard express them selves all are for Clarke