Greff, Dick Henry, died 1909 age 23

GREFF

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/25/2012 at 22:44:45

Shot Himself

Dick Greff committed suicide near Remsen Wednesday. He was a son of John Greff the stockman who went bankrupt a few years ago. The Remsen News says: This community was severely shocked on Wednesday evening when word reached here that Dick Henry Greff--son of Mr. and Mrs. John Greff residing five and a half miles northeast of here--had taken his own life by shooting through his temple with a shot gun. Owing to the nearness of going to press we are unable to get exact particulars but it seems that Dick had the past two or three days been feeling melancholy and it was noticed by the family to the extent that on Tuesday his father approached him and tried to find out the trouble. Dick started to say something but turned it off with the remark that it didn't make any difference and continued about his work. Later a member of the family wished to get a doctor for Dick but he told them that it was too late and a doctor could do no good. On Wednesday evening about six o'clock he came in from his work and was waiting for supper. He seemed to be in a more cheerful mood and was talking with one of his sisters who was preparing the meal. All at once he went out into the wash house which is very near the kitchen and without even closing the doors between he loaded the shot gun with the only remaining shell on the place and placing the gun stock on the floor he put his left temple over the muzzle and pushed the trigger with a violin bow. The charge entered and literally blew off the top of his head. His sister Anna was the first to reach him and held the boy during the very few moments that life remained. The motive is unknown. In one of his pockets was found a note written with pen and ink on a piece of wrapping paper which read: "This is the best way out of it. Goodby. Dick Henry Greff." It seems that during the noon hour his father had used the gun to shoot a rat and Dick asked to put the gun away but Mr. Greff refused and was going to put it in the house but one of the girls asked him not to just then as the gun would smell and so Mr. Greff put it in the wash house.

At the time of the tragedy all of the family were on the place with the exception of the married daughter Mrs. Peter Treinen. The family consisting of three sons and four daughters and the parents are prostrated with grief and neighbors and friends have taken charge of the conditions until all arrangements can be made for funeral services. The young man was twenty-three years of age--a man of good character and good habits. He was born and raised to manhood in this vicinity. His untimely ending is indeed sad and the blow is a hard one to many friends and to his parents.

Source: Alton Democrat, May 15, 1909.