The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-02-21
Charles E. Davis Wrote Let
ter Just Before He
Shot Himself
DISPOSING OF
HIS PROP ETY
He Had Secured : Relief
from Three o. Stations
Within Sear

Charles J.. DAVIS an elderly farmer
living on Richardson road, committed
suicide by shooting himself through the
heart last evening, having pinned TO the
wall near his bed letter setting forth
the reason for his act and giving in de-
tail directions for disposing of his prop
erty. Undoubtedly continued i'll health
drove the man to his rash deed. for in
the past year he had submitted to three
operations, none of which had afforded
the expected relief. Mrs. Davis her two
daughters and her son were in the house
when the farmer, who had retired a half
hour earlier, shot himself. They were at
his bedside in a few seconds, but life
was nearly extinct, and death ensued at
once.
The farewell letter, as penned by Mr..
Davis, is published at his request and
with the approval of members of the
family. who desire that his wishes be re-
spected, 1t is given as follows:
FEB. ] went TO Montpelier to be ex-
amined before council of doctors. They
gave me no hope of being any better.
They said there was no chance for me to
get any help. All could do was to 20
home and make the best of it. ] knew il
was the truth. | have suffered night and
day for the last three months Nobody
knows how much ] have suffered dur
ing this time. Knowing there is no help
for me ! am going to stop it right now s
My mind is clear and right, my head is
level at this time, and | am ready to go
now over the river to meet those that
have gone before. There is no pain nor
death on the other side. Don't shed any
tears for me. | am better of than the
rest of you. | shall be there to meet you
all some day when God thinks best.
take good care of your mother
for she has had hard time all through
ler life looking after us all these wears
Don't let this slip your minds when |
I'm gone. There are two other things
hat | ask OF you. They are that you
nave this printed in the Barre Times 30
hat all who know me will know that
nv mind is all right now as it always
las been. | would like to have Mr.
Hewitt take charge of the few last
words. c. +. Davis
This is written to-day"
The Davis family moved from Plain
ield last May and occupied a cottage
rear the George Richardson farm. so
alled. now owned by Mr.. and Mrs. Ar
hur Barber. the latter being a daughter
# Mr. and Mrs. Davis. The farmer re-
ired somewhat earlier than was his
wont. and it is believed that the, half
our which preceded the shooting was
pent in penning the letter later found !,
Y his bed. Apparently the letter was
thought out and painstak
ngly written, for it referred minutely
0 some of the things the farmer de
ired done after his death.
The weapon used was pistol which
ad been in Mr.. Davis possession many
ears. The bullet penetrated the heart,
nd DR.. V. c. Goodrich who was called
, the house Immediately after the
1ooting, stated that death must have
zen almost instantaneous DIR. +. H.
ailey, health officer for Barre Town
as notified. and after learning the cir
instances, he gave the family permits
on to proceed with plans for the fu-
nral.
Besides his wife. Mr.. Davis leaves
,ree daughters. Mrs. Arthur Barber.
I'd Misses Elsie and Nerns Davis, who
We at home There are four sons. Will
I'm Davis and Fred Davis of Plain
Id. Reginald Davis OF Barre, and Pri-
tie Newton Davis of Camp Devens,
yer. Mass The deceased was born in
est Fairlee Dec 10. 1850, and after al
ming his majority moved TO Chelsea,
here he resided for several years. Later
moved to Plainfield. where he CON
Icted large farm until he came TO
,rre nearly year ago. By his friends
re and by many old neighbors IN
ainfield he was held in high esteem
ID to them news of the tragic eircum-
ances surrounding his death came as
stinct shock.
1t is expected that funeral services will
held at the house Saturday afternoon
I o'clock. Rev. A. w Hewitt, pas
r of the Plsiniield Methodist church,
lom the deces sed wished to have Off.
tie at the funeral, is in Washington. d.
and will be unable to he present In
-ment will be made in Maplewood cem-
,ry.