Philip Wight (1908)
ETTIEN, WIGHT
Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/1/2012 at 15:13:11
The Mena Star, Mena, Arkansas
December 10, 1908Batchelor Farmer Fired Bullet Through Heart
Phil Wight, Near Cove, Saw only Darkness Ahead and Took Short Cut To Other Shore
Before Committing Deed Called a Doctor Over Phone to Come and Bring Someone, Saying He Was Sick.
Was It A Love Affair ?
Relatives Ascribe Act to Disappointment in Being Rejected by Iowa Young Woman - Was in Comfortable Circumstances.
Cove, Dec. 4 - Phil Wight, a farmer living three miles east of here, committed suicide about 7:30 last evening by shooting himself through the heart with a revolver.
Just before committing the dead, Mr. Wight called up Dr. Alford by phone and requested him to come out and bring someone with him, saying that he was sick. The doctor responded to the call, and on arrival found his supposed patient dead with a bullet wound through his heart, inflicted by his own hand.
Philip Wight came to Cove from Montana about two years ago and bought the W. D. Stockton farm just east of Old Cove. He was a single man of about 30 years and lived alone on his place, having no relatives in this section until about the first of last July, when an aunt and cousin, Mrs. Wight and grown daughter, came from Winterset, Iowa, and bought the Winkley farm near Mr. Wight's home.
Disappointed In Love -
Mr. Wight was in good circumstances financially, was industrious, reliable and well liked, and the people here know of no reason for his deed except that given by his relatives, and of this the deceased had not spoken to others. His relatives say that he was rejected by a young women in Iowa with whom he was very much in love, and they can ascribe no other cause for his despondency than that he brooded over his disappointment.
Word was sent to Mena for a casket and embalmer and L. B. Jackson went down this morning to attend to the funeral preparations. It is probable that the remains will be taken to Iowa for burial.
________________________Newspaper Unknown
December 10, 1908The suicide of Philip Wight, reported in the Star of December 4, has caused the most profound sorrow in the entire community and the cause that lead to the rash act is still a matter of general discussion.
Deceased was 39 years of age, and during his residence here of two years had formed a large circle of friends. He had a kind and jovial disposition and his friends and acquaintances were always made welcome at his batchelor home, where he kept everything as neat and cozy as any housewife in the community could have kept it.
He had imp;roved the Stockton farm and especially the residence, until it was one of the handsomest country homes in this part of the county.
The place was paid for, was well stocked in every respect and as there is about 45 acres in young orchard the owner could make it very valuable in a few years.
The remains were shipped to Winterset, Iowa, Saturday afternoon for burial and was accompanied by his aunt, Mrs. S. C. Wight, her son and daughter and Elmer Winkley, a cousin. - T. P. Fulton
________________________Winterset Madisonian
December 10, 1908
Page 1DIES BY HIS OWN HAND
Former Madison County Man Suicides at Cove, Arkansas
Phillip Wight, formerly a resident of Webster township, this county, committed suicide at his home near Cover, Arkansas, on last Friday, inflicting two gun shot wounds either of which would have proven fatal. The body was brought here for burial and the funeral held from the home of Geo. Shaw, of Webster township, on Tuesday afternoon and burial made in the Wight cemetery. The deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Wight, who were here on a visit to relatives when they received the sad intelligence of the son’s death. He was 39 years of age and unmarried.
________________________The Mena Star
Mena, Arkansas
Saturday, December 19, 1908The following letter was found where it had been placed by Wight:
"To Whom It May Concern:
I am sick and tired of life. I am going to leave this world tonight by a quick route. Everything is dark ahead. I can't see my way clear, but still I am without any hard feelings or malice against anyone. It is only my miserable self that has brought me where I am.
Tell all my people not to worry or grieve about me, for I will be at rest.
If you grant a dying man's last request, you will bury me as quickly as possible and notify my people afterwards. Always let me lie in an unmarked grave. Bury me I care not where.
I think I have enough money to bury me. I have $50 in my pocket and $32 in the bank at Cove. Let it go as far as it will and draw on the property for the rest.
Get someone to look after the mules and other property until father can come or send someone.
And no, friends, try and forget me and forgive me for the trouble I am making you.
I will now close with a last farewell to everyone and sign my name for the last time.
Let God have mercy on you all, and guide you to the home above.
Phil Wight"
Gravestone Photo
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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