The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1915-05-07
Ora L. Davis, Is Years an
Invalid, Takes Own Life
Monday Afternoon.
SHOOTS SELF THROUGH HEART
Despondent over illness-Wife came
last week to care for him-Shoots
self when left alone-Inquest held
Tuesday.

Ora L. Davis, aged 56 years and for
the past 10 years an invalid, became
deepondent last Monday afternoon and
took his life by shooting himself through
the heart, living only Is minutes after
the act was done.
Mr.. Davis had made his home in Paw
Paw for nearly two years, and has been
confined to his cot nearly all the time he
has been here. He had made his home
with several of our townspeople, and at
the time of his death was being cared
for at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred.
Sheldon, OF east Paw Paw street. Dur
! ing the past few weeks his illness began
to grow gradually worse, and his wife
came from Pontiac to help care for him.
She had been a faithful and steady CON-
panion at his bed side ever since her
he was unable too feed or help himself
in any manner.
About the hour of $3.50 p. m. Mrs.
Davis went for walk, and watched the
little ones of the public school drill for
their May Festival. Mr.. Williams came
with load of hay for Mr.. Lester Brew.
er, and Fred Sheldon went to NOW the
hay away for Williams. Before he left,
Davis asked Fred for his valise, which
was under his bed, and Mr.. Sheldon
opening it for him, Davis took towel
from the grip, and in all probabilities
his revolver. He placed the towel un-
der the bed clothing, and Fred left his
room, saying, Father will come and
stay with you Ora, It'll / get back"
MIR. o. H. p Sheldon went into the
room, and Davis informed him he could
rest better in his own room, and il he
wanted anything be would call him.
Mr.. Sheldon leaving Davis, and going
to his room heard the report of the
revolver, and scream from Davis. He
having placed the revolver over his heart
and pulled the trigger to the gun. Mr..
Sheldon at once notified his neighbor,
Mrs. Lester Brewer, that he thought
Davis had shot himself and she went
to the barn, and told Williams, who in
company with Fred, went to the house
his wound. Davis lived about 10 min
utes after committing the act. Under
taker Lake removed the body to his un-
dertaking rooms. There the remains
were prepared for shipment to Cadillac.
Mr.. Davis was resident of Paw Paw
many years ago, living here with his
mother, tailoress, who came here
shortly after the death of her husband
in the state OF New York. Ora went to
the public schools, and at one time
worked in drug store here. He was
married to sister of Mrs. Bowen who's
husband was the owner Of drug store,
east OF the Dyckman house. He was
divorced from her, and went to Cadillac
where he engaged in the drug business
for himself and enjoyed prosperous
business, until illness forced him to sell
his stock.
Some Is years ago he fell from lad.
der and injured his spine which caused
locomotor ataxia and has been an in.
valid ever since, being continually urder
medical treatment. He has travelled ex-
tensively in search of health, but Of no
avail, and his request was that he spend
his remaining years in the town OF his
youth where he had so many friends.
Those who survive him are a wife and
married daughter who live in Pontiac
Mich.
While in Paw Paw he has been under
the care ot DIR. Hoyt, and Saturday
wrote the doctor of his intentions to
commit suicide, but little or no credence
was given it. Continued illness, with
no chance for health, the man became
despondent, and ended all, Monday
about o'clock.
The widow and daughter have the
sympathy Of this community in the loss
of their father aud husband.