Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-04-10
CHARLES HENRY SUICIDES
AFTER SHOOTING WOMAN

Funeral services for Charles Hem
ry, rs. who took his life Friday
morning about 9 o'clock, at the
home of his daughter. Mrs. Harry
Gessel, about two miles from Malta,
on the New Lexington road, were
held Sunday afternoon at O'Clock,
at Deerfield Presbyterian church,
with interment in Deerfield ceme-
terry. Rev. j. C. Caller of the Pres
byterian church, this place, con-
Quoted the services.
The deceased is survived by one
son, Carl Henry, near Malta; one
daughter, Mrs. Gessel; five grand
children; one brother, William Hem
ry, of Eagleport, and a sister, Mrs
jamie Crooks, of Portersville He
was a son Of the late William Hem
ry and wife of Deerfield township
Friday morning Mr.. Henry, who
resided with his daughter, Mrs.
Gessel, went to the home of Mrs.
Merle Victor, nearby, and it is stat
ed upon entering the house, fired a
shot at Mrs. Victor, 3S, who was
standing near the fireplace in the
living room. The bullet did not hit
Mrs. Victor, and according to Mrs.
Victor struggle followed, Henry
finally Overpowering her and placed
.32 calibre revolver at her fore
head. However the gun was hard
to discharge and before he could
fire it, she had partially freed her.
self, when he shot the gun twice,
both loads taking effect. One bullet
struck Mrs. Victor under the left
side of her chin and emerged
through the left side of her neck
The other charge struck her over
her left eye. and came out about the
middle of the back of her head
Henry then returned to the home
of his daughter several hundred feet
away, and got IL gauge shotgun
and went out into the yard. His
daughter called to him to not use
the gun, but he placed it at the bot
tom of the steps, with the muzzle
against his breast, and with a stick
of wood, discharged it, the charge
entering the body near his heart.
Death was instant. 1t is reported
that Henry thought he had killed
Mrs. Victor. While embalming the
body, the undertaken found a bull
let in the wrist of Henry, which
may have been a rebound from the
first shot fired, or it may be it was
the same bullet that passed through
Mrs Victor's chin and neck
A number of men were working
on the highway, route 81, in front
of the Gessel and the Victor houses,
and they called Sheriff Doak, and L.
N. Seaman, acting coroner who ar
rived very shortly. Mr.. Seaman's
verdict was that Hemry's death was
due to suicide.
In Hemry's coat pocket was found
the gun which had shot Mrs. Vic
tor showing that three shells had
been fired 1t is stated that Henry
and Mrs. Victor had quarreled at
different times, and the latter said
that he had threatened her on prev
ious occasions. About Christmas
time she states that he attacked her
in a coal shed at her home, armed
with a gun, but she managed to
overpower him and escaped before
he used it.
1t is stated that Henry had ac-
cused Mrs. Victor of trying to keep
sion; and he had other grudges
against her. Henry formerly re-
sided in Deerfield township and
after disposing of his farm went to
the home Of his daughter to live.
His wife died about year ago.
Mrs Victor was removed to Be-
thesda hospital, in the Miller ambu
lance She lost much blood from
the wounds, and besides the gun
shot wounds, had bruises and in /,
juries. In the scuffle furniture was
broken, and the bloody interior Of |
the room, was evidence of the des- |
perate struggle that had taken |
place Mrs. Victor is widow and |
has three children.
Mrs Victor's wounds are not as
serious as first thought, and Tues
day evening was able to return to
her home.