The log cabin Democrat., 1921-06-10
HAMMETT KILLED
 SELF, SAYS PAPER BUSINESS WORRY. CAUSE Missouri Banker Had Extensive Hold ings in Faulkner-Losses This
 Year Heavy.

That suicide caused the death of Jim L. Hammett banker and capitalist at Huntsville, Mo-, who had extensive property holdings in this county, is revealed in the following taken from the Moberly Monitor-Index of June 1:
 Jim L. Hammett, president of the J. M. Hammett Banking Company of Huntsville, one of the most promin- ent men in the county for his busi- ness activities and leadership in so- cial welfare, shot himself to death at his home about o'clock last night He fired a pistol ball through his temple He was 57 years old.
 The suicide came as an unexpect- ed shock to his family and the com munity. He had given no intimation he contemplated such a deed, left no message it is said, and the only req son ascribed by his relatives, brsi- ness associates and friends is that he was worried and Respondent over i'll health and private business ventures in Arkansas.
 No arrangements for the funeral have been made and will not be made until the son, Francis Harold Ham, melt, can arrive from Conway, Ark, his home. He is expected this even ing or tomorrow.
 MT. Hammett killed himself while his wife was attending a social affair at the Methodist church last night. A cousin of Mrs. Hammett, Mrs. Eliza Christian Meteer, who has been making her home with them since January, was the only person at home at the time. Her story of the tragedy is:
 Mrs. Hammett had gone to the church and Mir. Hammett and I were sitting on the porch. After a short while he said he was feeling so bad that he thought he would go to his room. It was getting chilly and in little while l went upstairs to get a wrap. Mr. Hammett had been feeling so depressed of late that I had been afraid he might be stricken with apoplexy at any time. I was anxious about him last night and so I walked down the hall toward the bathroom to see if l could find him and if he rwere all right He was sitting in his room.
 l Il returned to my room and in 2 few minutes heard him close the door. A short time later I heard shot, At first I paid no attention to it thinking it was the neighbors who have been shooting cats that bothered their chickens. Then I be- gan to realize that the shot came from inside the house. I ran to MT. Hammett's room immediately and called two or three times but couldn't ge an answer. In my excitement I was unable to get the door open. I went to another door which had not been closed, went and found him sit ting in his chair, his head dropped over to the left and blood streaming from the wound in his temple. Jim, Jim,' I said, why did you do it?' He couldn't answer. He vas unconscious. l ran to the neigh ors for help and we sent for Dr. Ter Til and pr. Barnhart and Mrs. Ham, melt. When the doctors came they could do nothing He lived about an hour but never regained conscious ness"
 Jim L. Hammett was born in Salt Spring township May 13, 1864. He was the son of Mir. and Mrs. Francis NJ. Hammett. He was reared on his fathers farm and when seventeen was sent west to take charge of a cattle ranch. He remained thefe three years, returning to take up farming and stock raising near Darksville.
 In 1890 he became member of the J. M. Hammett Banking Con- pany and was made assistant cashier. Soon after he was made cashier, a position he held until 1907 when he became president.
 Aside from his banking business MT. Hammett was an extensive land owner. He owned about 5000 acres in Missouri and Arkansas. He was also an extensive cattle feeder.
 MT, Hammett was married April 20, 1891, to Miss Lora Proctor. daughter of Senator J. M. Proctor of Boone county. He was member of the Methodist church and treasurer for the Centenary Methodist con- mission for the Missouri conference.