Peter Thomas Hudnut

HUDNUT, HARLOW, LANE

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 4/10/2012 at 10:41:32

Peter Thomas Hudnut, an old citizen of Adams County and an inmate at the county poor farm was found dead in his bed at 6 o'clock Sunday morning. A gunshot wound in his breast and a revolver by his side told the story of his self destruction. Mr. Shinn overseer of the poor, was the first to discover him when he went to call him to breakfast. The shot had entered just below the heart, ranging upward, penetrating the organ. without a doubt it caused death instantly. There was only a slight hemorrhage. The revolver which lay by the side of the dead body was a 36 caliber 5 shot central firing weapon. A note was found exonerating Mr. and Mrs. Shinn from any blame.
It is not known at what hour the act was committed, although an old lady inmate heard a noise sounding as if something had fallen at about three o'clock in the morning.
The coroner was sent for but did not empanel a jury, saying it was a plain case of suicide.
Mr. Hudnut went to Brooks last Thursday, where two sons gave him $6. He came to Corning Saturday morning. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon he went to the hardware store of Harris and Westrope, where he asked to be shown some revolvers. He appeared out of humor and Mr.. Harris said, " You are not going to kill yourself or shoot some one, are you?"
Hudnut replied that Isaac Harlow's dog had bitten him and he was going to kill it. He selected a revolver, paid $3 and departed. The net known was the report of his death.
The funeral was held at Brooks Tuesday afternoon. Peter Hudnut was in his 61st year. He had lived in Adams county nearly thirty years continuously, excepting several years in Nebraska, where he was a drought sufferer, losing his crops. His wife died there and he returned to Adams County, broken in health and disheartened. Last fall his health was so poor, he had to go to the county farm and see his family of six children scattered. All this preyed on his mind until he could bear it no longer. He was a hard working, industrious carpenter.
Adams County Free Press, April 21, 1898, page 1
Mrs. Lane of Prescott, accompanied by her little adopted daughter, on of the Hudnut children attended the funeral of Peter Hudnut here Monday.
Brooks
Adams County Free Press, April 21, 1898, page 8