YOW, Gaston - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

GASTON YOW,  aged 60 years, a prominent farmer residing a mile west of Marshall committed suicide last Saturday by taking a large quantity of strychnine.   He had been in comparatively good health, financial conditions were not disturbed and his family relations were peaceful, but no reason can be assigned for his rash act.

On Saturday morning Mr. Yow drove to Marshall with his daughter, who was departing on the train, and it is the belief of the family and friends that the poison was secured while in that town.  He drove home, unhitched and put away his horse and buggy.   He then went to the house, it being near the noon hour.   It was while she was preparing their dinner that Mrs. Yow was attracted by someone calling for her husband.  Thinking he was sitting in the front part of the house, she gave little heed to the call  until it was repeated several times.  She then determined to see why Mr. Yow had not answered the call.   Upon entering the room she was astounded to notice a deathly look upon her husband’s face.  He was seated in a chair with a newspaper in his hand, and seemed to be looking directly at her, but could not utter a sound.  The neighbor who had been calling from the front was called into the house and every effort was made to resuscitate the stricken man, but their efforts were of no avail, the drug had accomplished its purpose and added another victim to the death roll.  A physician was hastily summoned, but medical assistance was also left in the distance by the deadly work of the drug.   A search of the premises was made and a paper, in which strychnine had been wrapped, was found in the barn.  Mr. Yow evidently having taken the drug upon his arrival home from Marshall and then gone to the house to await the result of his act. – thanks to S&E