Pitts - Jerre
Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Oct 14, 1898
Browns Valley had a sensation last Sunday all out of proportion to the size of the place. On Saturday night John Hole and Jere Pitts simultaneously reached the conclusion that life in this vale of tears isn't worth the effort it costs. John Hole was a popular young man, who had been living for several years, with his brother-in-law, Fred Rogers, about a mile north of Browns Valley. He was engaged to be married to Miss Alice Stilwell, the school teacher and called on her Sat. night. They evidently had a disagreement, as Hole came home early, and after putting up his horse went directly to his room where he wrote a letter to Miss Stilwell and another to his friends. In the latter he stated that he was in such deep trouble that he preferred death to its continuance. He then went down stairs, and placing a revolver to his forehead sent a ball into his brain. When found by Mr. & Mrs. Rogers, who were aroused by the shot, he was conscious and stated that he had done the deed because of his troubles. He lingered until about noon Sunday when he died. Miss Stilwell was prostrated by the terrible affair.
Jerre Pitts moved a few months ago from New Richmond to Browns Valley, where he had been working at house painting. Last July his wife left him, taking their daughter with her, and he had been making his home at Robert Goff's. Late Sat. night Mr. Goff's suspicions were aroused by the peculiar snoring in Pitts' room, and going in to investigate found him unconscious from the effects of morphine. Everything was done to try to counteract the poison, but in vain, and he died at about 11 o'clock, without having regained consciousness. He left a letter stating that he was tired of life, and giving some directions as to his burial. Ed Wilson, a stepson of Pitts, committed suicide a few years ago by taking morphine. The funerals of both unfortunate men were held on Monday. - typed by kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Sunday Star, October 10, 1898
The people of Brown's Valley did not have time to go to church on Sunday morning, for they had two suicides to demand their attention and to take their minds off our street fair. Jere Pitts, aged 50 years was found dead, five miles from Brown's Valley, from the poison route self-inflicted, his wife and he had a disagreement and when she drove Jere away he took poison and ended his early career, poor fellow. Then about the time this thing came to pass as an item of news, there was the report of a revolver shot and young John Hole had sent a pistol ball through his forehead and was a corpse, all because the girl to whom he had been paying his attentions had cut him cold. Dr. Barcus, off to the war, had appointed Dr Hutchings his deputy and he was out of town and Squire Hanna went down to set on the two cases yesterday afternoon and to get a fee that the law grants. There was enough excitement to do the people of Brown township for many a day. Thanks to Kim H
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 14 October 1898
There was excitement on tap in Brown’s Valley Sunday and plenty of it. Saturday night Jere Pitts and John Hole concluded that life was a dreary waste as far as they were concerned and that to travel this waste further would be the worst sort of folly. They didn’t have any conference to come to this sage opinion but each fellow figured it out for himself and that their conclusions synchronized is pretty strong evidence that suicide was in the air Saturday night.
Jere Pitts was a well known citizen of this county. He was a constable of Coal Creek Township and until Sunday resided there with his wife and daughter. He was forty three years of age and was a fellow of something more than ordinary intelligence. Last July his wife left him and took their daughter with her. Pitts then went to reside in Brown Township, all his relatives residing near Russellville. He took up his residence with Robert Goff in Brown’s Valley and in his residence the suicide occurred.
Sunday morning Mr. Goff, who was downstairs in his house, was attracted by the noise of Pitts’ snoring. The snoring was so loud and peculiar that Mr. Goff suspected that all was not right and went up. He found Pitts lying in a coma and tried to rouse him. Being unable to do so he called his wife and then went for Dr. Williams. Dr. Williams came in and at once stated that Pitts was suffering from morphine poisoning. All attempts to save his life were vain and about 11 o’clock the man died, never having regained consciousness. He was 43 years of age and was buried Monday at Russellville. Several years ago a stepson of Pitts committed suicide in exactly the same way.
Pitts left a letter addressed to his wife and daughter. In this letter he simply stated that he had concluded to “go to the other country.” He gave some directions as to his funeral and expressed his affection for his wife and child. He was emphatic in urging the girl to keep good company. In the absence of Coroner Barcus and his deputy, Dr. Hutchings, Sheriff Canine took Squire Hanna down to hold the inquest. The court found that Pitts died intentionally by his own hand. Two papers which had contained the poison were found. They were wrapped in a circular put out by Dr. Sparks, of Yeddo.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 14 October 1898
This community was sadly shocked Sunday morning by learning that Jere Pitts was lying at the point of death, having taken morphine. He came home from town Saturday seemingly in better spirits than usual. He retired early and when Robert Goff went to awaken him at 5 o’clock Sunday morning he found him lying unconscious. Medical aid was summoned but nothing could save him and he died at 11:45 Sunday morning, Oct. 9, aged 43 years. He was staying at Robert Goff’s at the time of his death. He was a member of the M. E. Church at New Richmond, and leaves a wife and daughter. Rev. O. W. McGaughey conducted the funeral at the M. E. Church at Russellville Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Interment was at the Russellville Cemetery. -s