Attempted murder suicide

HELMICK

Posted By: Coordinator
Date: 9/29/2011 at 04:59:20

To whom it may concern: You may wish to post the following under your Murders in Louisa County section. William A. Helmick was my gggrandfather. Dennis Nelson

From the Columbus Safeguard (Mar/Apr 1885):

Attempted Murder and Suicide

On Sunday last occurred a terrible a tragedy as ever been enacted in this county. Mr. William Helmick, a well known and respected citizen of Elm Grove township, near the town of Cairo, became so exasperated over some of his troubles that he sought to take his own life. The affair occurred at about 9 o'clock Sunday morning, March 8. Mr. Helmick first attempted to murder his wife, but the revolver refused to go off and she was saved by his brother's timely interferance, whereupon the weapon was turned and the leaden contents emptied into the breast of the man who held it. The bullet entered the median line an inch below the lower extremity of breast bone passed downward, backward, and to the right, lodged an inch under the outer surface a little below and outside the location of the right kidney. The track of the bullet must have been through the left lobe of liver and through the stomach and very near, if not into, the kidney. Bullet extracted. Dr. Allen, of Cairo, was first called and in attendance. Afterward, Dr. D.W. Overholt, was sumoned, who did his utmost to relieve the sufferer.

The trouble grew out of family difficulties. Several times since the report has come that Mr. Helmick was dead but up to the present writing, he is in the land of the living, although before we go to press we are expecting to hear that he is gone. Mr. Helmick was one of the prominent men of that vicinity and a good citizen and his great misfortune is lamented by all who knew and respected him.