Long - Lant - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

D.L.Long, known by many people of the city and county as “Lant” committed suicide yesterday afternoon at his home in Fiskville at 3:30 after suffering with asthma and hart trouble for the past 3 years. The disease was too painful for the man to bear, and the idea came only after every attempt to cure him had failed.  Mr. Long had been unable to get any sleep lately, that would in any way rest him. His heart trouble had become worse and he determined about 3:15 to end it all. He got up form his bed and taking the shotgun from the corner and without dressing himself, went to the rear of the house. Placing the butt of the gun against the side of the house, and the barrel on his breast, immediately over his heart, he pushed the trigger back with a stick.  Mrs. Long heard the shot but did not know her husband had gone out the back door, although she had heard him moving in his room. When she did go to the rear of the house, she found his body and the gun beside it. Bert Zook was the first one to the house but was closely followed by Mr. Coppage who called the police. The body was taken into the house and coroner called. The gun was found to have but one empty shell in it.  The load from the gun tore a hole in the man’s body as large as a dollar and Coroner Lidikay stated after examination that the shot from the shell had gone through to his back. Death was undoubtedly instantaneous. The community near the home was shocked at the news. Mr. Long was one of the most prominent men of that section of town and was highly esteemed all over the county. He is survived by his wife, a son, Austin of Chicago and one sister, Mrs. WL Lee. The deceased was a member of the Montgomery County Guards at the time General Lew Wallace was head of the organization. He was one of six sharpshooters of the company and went all over this part of the state winning many shooting contests. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.