The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-23
Principal of South High lands School Unable to Overcome Grief Over
 His Wife's Death
HIGH TRIBUTE PAID
 TO HIS ABILITY IN
 HANDLING CHILDREN
Was Regarded As One of Best Equipped Men In the Birming- ham Public School
 System


 Extreme grief caused by the death of his wife about two months ago, led Prof. A. A. Lyon, principal of the South High land school, to end his life by shoot ing yesterday morning about S:S0 o'clock, in the rear of his residence at 106 Halstead street, Woodlawn
 Funeral services over the remains will take place this afternoon at o clock from the Woodlawn Presbyterian church. h. torment will follow in Oak Hill cemetery The following will act as pallbearers Judge s. D. Murphy of the juvenile court; H. P. Burrows, principal of the Hemp hill school at West End; c. P. Under wood, principal of the Ullman school; Dr. c. A. Brown, principal of the Central High school R. A. Nunnelley and c. B. Glenn, assistant superintendent of pulp lie schools.
 Out of respect for the deceased the South Highlands school will not hold any sessions today.
 Educational executives throughout this city and the state were shocked yes- ter6ay to hear of the death of Professor Lyon, who, since coming to Birmingham in 1902 as an instructor of mathematics at the Central High school, had made an enviable reputation as clean and strong man in whatever position he was placed.
 LOSS TO SCHOOLS
 He was an exceptional man. said As sistant Superintendent of Schools c. E. Glenn last night, "and I desire to join ir statement emphasizing the great loss the educational system of Birmingham suffers in his death
 He was educated at the Southwest ern Presbyterian university at Clarksville and later attended the United States Mil itary academy at West Point, where a physical breakdown prevented his grad uation. Later on he attended the Pea body college at Nashville, where he re- ceived special training as a teacher. He came to Birmingham in 1902 par ticularly recommended for his fitness as an instructor in mathematics, and served at the Central High school for a period of four years, until promoted in 1906 8o the principalship of the South Highlands school, the largest elementary public school in the city. He was selected for that post because of his remarkable rec ord as man of distinct individuality, a disciplinarian and capable organizer During his incumbency as principal of the South Highlands school his strength among the educators of the city increased and he was regarded by all the princi- pals of the public schools of the city with respect for his peculiar fitness in handling the great details of a large public school His military training was such as to aid him greatly in handling school children and I found him to be the most popular principal in the city. He was also a prominent factor in all educational organizations of the city and was chairman of the teachers study course, and also was to have charge of the biennial school census this coming summer. Professor Lyon had already completed one school census two years ton as to merit his reappointment to the post by Governor Henderson.
 FRUSTRATED WITH GRIEF ''As to the causes that led to his death I am also familiar to some extent. His wife's father died a few months before Christmas and this death seriously af- fected Mrs. Lyons, who, suffering from a blood infection on her face, died a few days before last Christmas. These two deaths left Professor Lyon almost prostrated with grief and although va riouS friends and school colleagues sought in many ways to pull him together, he never again seemed to get hold of him self, and we know that he suffered poiE- nantly.
 ''He talked to me several times of the death of his wife. and seemingly held himself in part responsible. It appears that Mrs. Lyon was suffering from a small boil on her face which later de- veloped into blood poisoning and death Professor Lyon often stated that if he had done all that could possibly be done he might have saved her life. This was pure deluson. occasioned by his great grief, as attending physicians and his many friends all sought in every way to emphasize the fact that he had been a most devoted husband and had done all that could be accomplished by human power to save his wife's life. However, Professor byon persisted in blaming him self, and this with the uncomfortable grief he suffered broke down his will and e ., ed him to end his life.
 ''l would like to be able to write a beautiful and sincere appreciation of the work that Professor Lyon has accom- plished for the public schools of Birming- ham. He was a strong and remarkable man, and his death means a distinct loss