ALLEN, Samuel - Putnam

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ALLEN, Samuel

Source: Greencastle Star 19 June 1880 p 8

Last Friday in Franklin Township, this county on the farm of Mr. Hymer, Samuel Allen, a well known resident committed suicide by shooting. The facts connected with the sad affair as we hear them are as follows: Allen and his wife did not get along together very well and there had been more or less bickering and quarreling for a long time. Some time before the tragedy Mrs. Allen had gone to her fathers and on last Thursday evening her husband had gone there to talk matters over with her. During the interview it was agreed that they should separate and to this end it was determined that the relatives meet at Allen’s house, the next day to divide the household goods. Allen then started for home but in the meantime decided to remain over night at Mr. Lafollett’s residence. In the morning he requested Mr. LaFollett to go home with him and on arrival there Lafollett was asked to go to the residence of Allen’s brother and invite him to come over also. During Mr. Lafolett’s absence, Allen again went over to his house and asked Mrs. Lafolett for her husband’s pistol – a large navy revolver. She refused to let him have it, but he was determined, took possession of the weapon and carried it away. When the brother he had sent for arrived at the house, he found Allen breathing his last, with a pistol wound in the head, showing that the ball entered near the right ear, passed through and came out on the other side. He had written quite a lengthy note before he committed the rash act, in which he bequeathed his property to his wife and only child and also requested the former to attend his funeral. Deceased was married in the year 1877 and was about 28 years of age. By some it is thought that sickness to a great extent was the cause of suicide for he had long been troubled with diseased stomach and lungs and suffered greatly therefrom, while others attribute the act to domestic troubles. The letter written by deceased before he committed the deed we present below:

June the 10
th, 1880
Dear Wife & Dear Child: This is my last request: I want you to have what I have got and I want you to make a sale and sell what I have all but the bed; and I want you to keep that for Bertha; and Perlina, I want you to use the rest to the best use you can for you and Bertha.  Perlina, this tries the heart of any man. Perlina, this is the hardest writing I ever tried to do. Perlina, if you don’t want to keep my picture keep it for Bertha.  Perlina, I want you to go to my burial and see the last of me there. You will know what became of me. One more long and sad night to me has gone and this is the last one I will see. Perlina, I want this carried out as I have asked of you, so good bye forever. Samuel Allen to his wife and child – Perlina, there is one thing I forgot. I want you to give Frank something for taking care of me. I want Frank to settle my business for you. Good bye to all of my friends. Farewell, farewell forever and God …
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