The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-12-14
lELIJAH B. LEWIS
COMMITS SUICIDE
FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND
WEALTHY CITIZEN OF MON
TEZUMA. NO CAUSE.

/
ident of the. Lewis Banking company
of this city, and considered one of the
weathiest men in South Georgia,
shot and killed himself about o'clock
Friday afternoon.
Temporary insanity, brought about
by worry over general business condi-
tions, is attributed by friends for his
rash step. 1t is apparent that the
former congressman and former state
senator could not longer endure the
general financial depression of the
country In fact he was on the verge
of another nervous collapse, his friends
say, being unable to sleep at night,
worrying constantly over matters in
general.
About a year ago it is stated Mr.
Lewis suffered nervous breakdown
from which he had never recovered.
The two institutions, which he was
at the head of, together with the
numerous other business and manufac-
turing concerns he was said to have
been heavily interested in, are on
concrete foundations and played no
part in causing the former congress-
man to end his life. The last financial
statement of the Lewis Banking COM
pany, less than month old, showed
the capital stock to be $100,000; sur
plus $4,000, and deposits of $886000.
A similar statement from the First
National Bank showed a capital stock
of $4,000, surplus of $4,000, and the
deposits total $425,000.
Shoots Himself Through Head
Mr.. Lewis was alone in his private
Office in the rear of the Lewis Bank
ing company when he shot himself
through the right temple with pistol.
He was still breathing when bank
officials, on hearing the report of the
pistol, rushed into his Office. On his
desk there were notes addressed to
his wife and to his brother, residing
IN Montezuma.
Just before the unfortunate occur
renee Mr.. Lewis went to a hardware
store of Robert Clemens, located next
to the banking institution. There he
stated that he wished to purchase a
cheap pistol. Mr. Clemens, it is stat
ed, informed the banker that the low
est price weapon he had was SIS. Mr..
Lewis left the store, re-entered his
bank and then traced his steps back
to the hardware establishment with
the necessary amount to purchase the
pistol The sale was transacted and he
left the store.
Tells Caller His Intentions.
On entering his private office Mr..
Lewis found Joe Collins of Montezu-
ma, who had called on the banker in
regard to business. Mr.. Lewis inform
ed Mr.. Collins that he was in no frame
of mind to talk business and for him
to get out, as he intended to commit
suicide. Mr.. Collins left the office and
made haste to the, Office of Thomas
Marshall, jr., cashier of the institution.
He told Mr.. Marshall of the utter
ances of Mr. Lewis. Mr.. Marshall
then went to the private office and
asked Mr.. Lewis if there was anything
worrying him. Mr.. Marshall received
virtually the same words as those
, passed to Mr.. Collins. Hardly had Mr.
Marshall arrived back in the main
part of the bank before the report Of
the pistol was heard.
Mr.. Lewis was 65 years of age and
was widely known throughout Geor-
gia and other southern states. He
, served as a state senator from the
Thirteenth district, and as a member
OF congress from the Third district fol-
six terms. He was a director of the
Atlanta, Birmingham & Atlantic rail
: way and was heavily interested in the
Georgia & Florida railroad
Leaves Note to His Wife.
The note that was left by Mr.. Lew
is in his private office when he destroy
ed himself was addressed to his wife
, it was made known today by mem
bers OF the family.
In the note, members of the family
state, were EXPRESSIONS of love to his
wife and regret that he was about tc
destroy himself.
The depression is unbearable," the
note is said to have read, concluding
: again with further expressions of love
One brother, John F. Lewis, is q
prominent banker at Valdosta. An
other brother, M. w. Lewis, is con-
nected with the banks at Montezuma
Throughout the long and solid finan-
cial history of the family there never
was failure.
He is survived, besides his two
brothers, by a wife, two daughters
Mrs. w. H. Mckenzie of Montezuma
and Mrs. E. P. Willingham of Ma
COli, tWO SISlSiSJ w. "a DONoOi
OF Americas, and Mrs. John P. Holmes
of Macon.
One Bank Not Reopened.
The Lewis Banking company was
placed in the hands of the state bank
ing department following a meeting O.
the board of directors, and did not
reopen on Monday. This action was
decided upon as the best way in which
to preserve the assets of the institu
ton. The directors, who are familiar
with the affairs of this state bank, de-
clare that it is financially sound.
The First National Bank reopenec
at the usual hour, having been pro
: nounced in satisfactory condition by
Chief National Bank Examiner ]. F
Pole. OF the sixth federal reserve dis.