McLaughlin, William (died 1885)

MCLAUGHLIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/11/2008 at 15:13:57

Jackson Sentinel
June 22, 1885

Suicide.

Last Saturday morning about 7 o’clock, Wm. McLaughlin, a farmer aged over 50 years, and residing some three-and-a-half miles northwest of Canton, committed suicide by blowing his brains out with a shotgun. On the morning stated above McLaughlin went into the woods to hunt, accompanied by his two boys, aged 8 and 14 years. He was some distance from the boys when the youngest one looked in the direction of his father and observed the gun in an upright position and he apparently looking down the barrels, when the gun went off and the father fell back dead. When the boys saw what had occurred they gave the alarm. It is said the entire top of his head was blown off and his brains scattered about presenting a sickening sight. There was no word or note of warning to the effect that he contemplated suicide, but some time ago he was stricken with palsy and he had frequently expressed a desire to die, as he was poor and unable to provide for his family. It was also thought that his illness had weakened his mind. He was an old resident of Canton and vicinity and served in the late war. The remains were buried in the Gilmore graveyard, the services were conducted by a Baptist minister from the Frozen Hill church, in that locality.