The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1920-02-05
E. F. CLAYTON
TAKES OWN LIFE
BY HANGING
REASON FOR ACT MYSTERY
Prominent Citizen And Cashier OF Citizens
National Bank For Many Years Ends
His Life In Basement OF Home
Last Tuesday Morning

Like a thunderbolt from the skies
came the startling and sad news last
Tuesday morning that E. F. Clayton,
cashier of the Citizens National Bank
IN Julesburg and one of our most
prominent citizens had taken his own
life by hanging himself with a rope
tied to a water pipe in the basement of
the Clayton home in this city.
1t was customary for Mr.. Clayton to
arise early in the morning and go to
the basement to fix the fires in the
furnance. When Mrs. Clayton came
down stairs to prepare breakfast, she
discovered two letters upon the table
one addressed to herself and the other
addressed to John C. Wagner. Upon
opening the letter Mrs. Clayton was
terrified in noting the contents, which
gave the information that her husband
had taken his life. She Immediately
notified Mr.. Wagner over the phone to
come to the Clayton home at once.
Mr.. Wagner, who lives several
blocks away, rushed to the scene. Up
on going to the basement he discover
ed tho body Of Mr.. Clayton hanging
from the end Of . rope. He immedi-
ately cut the body down and DR.. c.
". Rook was notified, but upon his
arrival it was found that life was ex-
tinct, and it is probable that death had
come some time before, it not being
known just what hour the act was
committed. Close by lay revolver
and flash-light and chair which the
deceased had used to jump from.
From the presence of the revolver,
which was found loaded and unused,
the indications were that he was un-
decided which course to pursue. A
towel had been carefully tied around
the neck under tie rope.
A dark gloom spread over the com
munity rs the news Of this terrible
tragedy was learned by the citizens
and friends Of Mr.. Clayton. 1t was at
first impossible to believe that Ed.
Clayton, pioneer citizen and banker
had taken his own life, and as the cold
facts Of the case were substantiated,
tears came into the eyes Of hardened
men as we'll as women and children,
who had always known Mr.. Clayton as
q big hearted, good natured man and
splendid citizen. There had been no
intimation Of the act in any manner
whatsoever previous, as the day be-
fore Mr.. Clayton has been at his desk
at the bank the same as usual and
seemed to be in the best Of spirits. He
transacted several business matters,
chatted with fellow citizens as usual,
and one would have least expected
that he must have been at that time
contemplating to end his life.
The only thing at all unusual Of the
days happenings on Monday was that
Mr.. Clayton remarked to his asso-
ciates in the bank that he was not
feeling well. apparently having cold.
And he left the bank in the evening
somewhat earlier than it was his habit
Of doing. That evening Mrs. Clayton
attended the community lyceum
course, Mr.. Clayton not going with
her. stating that he was not feeling
we'll. L is presumed that it was dur
ing her absence that the letters were
written, which were IN his usual good
legibls hand and contained information
Of what he was about to do along with
instructions pertaining to business
matters and funeral and burial ar
rangsments.
The cause Of Mr.. Clayton taking his
life remains . deep mystery, ~ his
business affairs are said to b in ex-
celleat condition and his work as cash
ier at tho bank was entirely satisfac-
tory. There could have been no big
ger surprise IS he was the last man
ono would think Of doing such rash