KERR, Arthur - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Hillsboro Oct 21 - Arthur Kerr, aged 20 of five and a half miles SW of here, shot himself through the head last night about midnight and died two hours afterward without ever having gained consciousness. The bullet entered his right temple and plowed its way into the brain and the mystery is that he did not die at once. The tragedy was the result of a bitter quarrel that he had had during the day and evening with Miss Margaret Jackson aged 24 who resides between Veedersburg and Covington. She is a most estimable and handsome young lady and comes from one of the most respectable families in Fountain County. She is prostrated with grief over the sad ending of her lover's life. The shooting took place about 1 this morning near the front gate which leads to the home of Charles Youngblood, where the couple had gone from the street fair, which they had been attending during the early part of the evening at Veedersburg. It is reported that the fatal quarrel had its inception at the street fair and that it grew more bitter as the day grew older. When they arrived at the home of Mr. Youngblood they were quarreling and after a little while, Mr. Kerr climbed out of the buggy and was standing at its side when a friend, Donald Taylor who had been attending the house party came out and said, "When are you going home or are you ready to go home?" It was just at the moment that the report of the revolver broke the stilness of the midnight hour and with a groan young Kerr fell to the earth. Miss Jackson screamed and the greatest commotion soon followed. The injured man was taken into th ehouse and a physician was hastily summoned from Veedersburg but when he arrived he told them that it was no use, that the young man was past human aid. The quarrel was the result of jealousy it is reported. Miss Jackson had been receiving some attention from Clarence Drenard, of HIllsboro, a young man about her own age and it was this flirtation that caused young Kerr to become angry. Mr. Kerr had also been paying some attention to Miss Katherine Prendergrast of Attica. She is a teacher in the Hillsboro and this it was said did not suit Miss Jackson. It was one of those lover's quarrels which meant little in the beginning but was soon greatly magnified as is often the case. The suicide was the son of John Kerr of near Hillsboro and he had no bad habits and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a young farmer, having graduated from Hillsboro HS last year. Coroner Fred Parham of Veedersburg held an inquest at the house of Mr. Youngblood today, after which the body of the dead man was removed to the home of his parents. The verdict rendered by the coroner was suicide.