The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-03
USED MONEY NOT
HlS0NN, farmer
Takes 0NNIL|FE|
Had Leased Oiland Gas, But
Discovered That This
Was; Reserved.
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nHtliini,lT rEnr rn,rmnn
COULDN'T FACE FRIENDS
uNAsLEtTotPAY RAcksTHE rem.
tai, CONSCIENCE CAUSES
SUICIDE.

K. comisse Hall. the prosperous
farmer who hanged himself in his
barn near Joetown yesterday after
discovering that he had received a
small sum of none ynot legally due
him for gas lease rental, was buried
at l o'clock this afternoon in the Bog.
CESS cemetery near Jostown. Scores
Of neighbors who. knew Mr.. Hall as an
honest, upright man attended the,
services.
Mrs. Hail stated last evening to
Coroner Frank A. Lloyd that her hus.
band had leased the farm recently to
an oil and gas company, receiving a
small amount Of money as rental. The
property belongs to Mrs. Hall and
when 1t was decided to her the gas and
oil rights were reserved, Mrs. Hall
said. Not knowing Of this reservation
and without consulting her Mr.. Hall
leased tho property. No wells were
drilled on II, but few weeks ago the
husband was told that he had no legal
right to lease the property.
Realizing that he had accepted rem
tai money and that his reputation for
honesty and Integrity was being CUES
toned, Mr.. Hall was heartbroken.
For days he grieved, losing his appe-
tite and being unable to sleep. The
amount OF money was small and Mr..
Hall was willing to make restitution
even seven-fold II necessary, but still
his conscience troubled him and he
worried because of the act which he
believed would be ever remembered
by his neIghbors as an indelible blot
on his reputation.
The last night before the tragedy
he paced the floor OF his bedroom
feverishly and told his wife that with
a lifetime of honesty and integrity
behind him he dared not face his
neighbors and fellow church members
after this error, which lio had made
unwittiugly and which he believed
would ruin his reputation.
Mrs. Hall tried TO comfort the grief
stricken man, telling him that he was
not to blame and that the neighbors
would understand that the whole af-
fair was a mistake.
Mrs. Hall prepared an appetizing
breakfast for her husband, but he only
ate few bites and got up hurr!edly
from the table, declaring that he was
going to the barn to feed the stock.
A few minutes later Mrs. Hall fol-
lowed him. She found the body sus-
pended from a beam. Help was sum.
moned but the unfortunate man was
dead before tho body could be cut
down.
In note found on the hay near the
body Mr.. Hall exonerates his wife
from all blame in regard to the lease,
and pathetically implores his neigh
bors to treat his wife and children
kindly. The note left by Mr.. Hall
follows:
ITO My Dear Wife and Children: I
will say to my dear wife and chiflren
goodby. To tho people, do not oame
my wife with my wrongdoing, for she
is innocent OF any crime, have done
1t all. have done all OF the leasing.
She has left everything to me. This
Is the truth, so help me God.
"CoMAfISSE HALL"
A wife and five children surys>
Undertaken Huey, of Warrington, was
in charge of the funeral.
Coroner Lloyd was called to the
scene to make an investigation. No
inquest was considered necessary,
verdict of suicide being entered on
the coroner's record.