SHAMBLEN, George W. (1855-1899)

SHAMBLEN, SHAMLEN, MCDONALD, MARTIN

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 10/22/2006 at 18:10:34

MILLS COUNTY TRIBUNE
DATED AUGUST 3, 1899

Killed Himself For Love

The good people of Glenwood were horrified Monday morning to learn that a man had killed himself in their midst the night before or rather early that morning. Geo. W. Shamlen was the name of the suicide and the deed was done at the residence of Mrs. McDonald near the Institution. Shamlen is a widower 44 years of age and it would naturally be supposed that he had long ago passed that period in his life when sentiment could take so firm a hold upon him. But it seems not. It would appear that he has been keeping company more or less regularly with a lady named Martin who formerly worked at the Institution and it is supposed that trouble with her led to the awful tragedy we are now chronicling. Shamlen seemed all right Sunday and went to church Sunday night as usual. Soon after he returned he complained of feeling unwell saying he had the cramps. This was about 10 o’clock and when it is supposed he took the poison. He kept getting worse and a physician was sent for. The latter instantly detected symptoms of poisoning and accordingly taxed the sick man with having taken poison. He refused to tell what he had taken an told the physician, Dr. F. E. Donelan, if he wanted to know he had better find out.

The Doctor arrived at the scene a little after midnight and did all that could be done but was called too late, the unfortunate man died a little before 1 o’clock. A search revealed a note book in which the following ante mortuary note was found which indicates plainly the writer’s suicidal intent:

“When this you read think of me tho I may be in my lonely grave as I have nothing to stay here for and life is not worth living to me if things does change. Please don’t blame nobody for I do the deed with my own hand and I have a just cause for so doing I dont want no one blamed for what I do with my own hand as I will at some early date. I die of a broken heart and for one that I love dearer than life, one that won my heart and now I lay down my life for her if she is false to me and I will not live with a blasted spot in my heart for I can not stand such for it makes me miserable and I will shut the gates for good between me and the one I love.” -- G. W. Shamlen

Early Monday morning the bottle was found which had contained the poison Shamlen had taken. It was a two ounce bottle and had been full of strychnine and laudanum. He had taken the entire two ounces except perhaps a spoonful. The dose was enough to kill a dozen ordinary men. The bottle was found in the weeds near McDonald cottage where Shamlen had thrown it after swallowing its contents. His friends say that this is not his first attempt at suicide as he attempted his life two weeks ago but unsuccessfully. Coroner Whitnall of Hastings was called over but after investigating the matter briefly he came to the conclusion that no inquest was necessary as the cause and manner of the man’s death were too patent to leave any room for any doubt.

Note regarding the
above account of his
death:

Throughout the article the spelling of the last name was “Shamlen” however---------

George W. Shamblen was born in 1855 to Frederick Shamblen and Aseneth Wickham Shamblen.
He was married to Margaret Ewing.

George Shamblen died July 31, 1899.