The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1915-04-23
DESPONOEACI CAUSES
BARBER TO THREATEN
10 END HIS CAREER
p. S. SHELTON is FOUND IN RlV-
ERSlDE BEFORE HE COM
MlTS SUICIDE.
LEFT FAREWELL NOTE TO WIFI
Told Her That His Financial Condi-
ton Had Worried Him Until He
Was Crazy-Found About Four
Hours After His Disappearance.

when you see me again, | will be
dead. owing to financial troubles,
am about crazy. You will find my
watch in the locker. Kiss the chill
dren for me-"
This is the note that P. S. Shelton,
who has been barber at the Century
club for the past few weeks, sent to
his wife Tuesday afternoon about 2
o'clock by the little negro porter at
the By-Path.
However, Mr. Shelton did not COM
NIT suicide, as he planned. He was
found about 6:15 by Sheriff Walter
Griffin, sitting on the bank of the
river near the tennis court in River.
side. He said that he had taken a
bottle of carbolic acid, but when Mr..
Griffin examined his mouth, there
were no signs of it being burnt by
any acid. He was brought back to
the city and given to the care of his
brother, who took him in charge.
The cause of Mr.. shelton's despon-
dency was his financial condition. He
has a wife and several children,
which are very young. he was in debt
a few hundred dollars to his brother,
and he was not making living for
them at the barber trade. He had
been Respondent for several days, and
is said to have talked to several in
regard to his condition. Tuesday
morning he went by the barbershop
of his brother at the depot and talk
ed over with him his affairs. The lat
ter advised him to return to the Cen
fury Club and keep on at his work at
least week longer in the hope that
it would get better. His "blueness"
persisted, however, and shortly after
returning to work after dinner, he
tore from a small account book, which
he used in keeping small items, two
pages. He wrote note to his broth
er and one to his wife. He then
walked out of the club and down to
the sycamore tree at the corner of
Garden end Seventh streets, where
he asked the little negro boy to deliv-
err the notes for him. He was not
seen again until els o'clock, when
the sheriff found him in Riverside.
The news of Mr. Skeletons disap-
pearance spread rapidly over the
city and probably fifty or hundred
went out in search for him. They
were led by his brother and the mem.
bers of the police force to the river,
which they went up and down for a
mile or more. No trace of him could
be found; nor could anyone be seen
who had talked with him after two
o'clock. His disappearance was cloak
ed in mystery, and all clues led to
nothing. After a search of an hour
or more, the parties returned to the
city. Sheriff Griffin and Chief Tom
Mclean went to the Century Club,
where they found that his shop had
been left in perfect condition, his ra.
zors were all there, and his cabinet
locked up. There was no evidence OF
his whereabouts.
The search continued until Mr..
Shelton was found. He was still very
Respondent, but agreed to return with
Mr.. Griffin to his home. He stated to
him that he had simply become so de-
pressed over his financial condition
and prospects that he did not see an!
use of his living any longer.
1t is said that Mr.. Shelton had
bad attack of brain fever some eight
or ten years ago, from which he has
never fully recovered, and many at
tribute his intention to take his life
to another attack of it. He is very
quiet, reserved man, clean in his per
sonal life, and is we'll liked by those
who know him.