PITTS, Jere - Putnam

John Hole committed suicide by shooting himself Saturday night, but lived until Sunday noon. He was working for Fred Rodgers at the time and the funeral occurred at his house Monday morning at 10 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Jayne. Mr. Hole was 22 years old and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

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

 

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 14 October 1898

With John Hole it was simply a case of “There’s Only One Girl In This World For Me.” The story is a sad one and not without its dramatic side. Hole has lived near Brown’s Valley for several years and has made his home with his brother-in-law, Fred Rogers, who lives on Possum Ridge. Hole was a steady young fellow and was well liked in the neighborhood. He was intensely devoted to Miss Alice Stilwell, a popular young school teacher, the daughter of Jere Stilwell. The young people had been engaged for several years but of late things had not been running very smoothly. On Saturday night Hole went to the home of Mr. Stilwell and asked Miss Stilwell to accompany him to a party in the neighborhood. She stated that she was very tired and did not feel able to go. He insisted and seemed much put out when she persisted in her refusal. He finally said good bye and left. It is supposed that he went directly to some place and wrote two letters. One of these was directed to Miss Stilwell and the other to his friends. About 9 o’clock he stepped upon the porch of Fred Rogers and placing a revolver to his head, fired. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers heard the muffled report of the discharge but did not recognize it as a revolver shot, being inclined to think it was a horse at the barn. A minute later they heard some one groaning on the porch and Mrs. Rogers sprang up crying that her brother had shot himself. They ran out and found him lying there perfectly conscious. He was taken to his room and Dr. Williams was hastily summoned. The young man talked freely of his deed and said that he wished to die and that life without the love of his sweetheart would not be worth the living. He talked kindly with his sister and gave her what comfort he could but in a couple of hours lost consciousness. He lingered, however, until nearly noon Sunday. On his person were found the two letters. The one to Miss Stilwell was sealed and was so delivered to her. What were its contents no one except she knows. The one to his friends began, “This is a dark, dark night. It is the blackest, darkest night I ever saw. I do not wish ever to see such another one and I do not expect to.” The letter then went on to say that his best girl had given him the shake and that he intended to end his troubles in death.

Miss Stilwell is prostrated by the sad affair and is almost hysterical in her grief. She declares that she loved him as truly as ever and that the whole thing was due to a misunderstanding. Her case is quite a pitiful one and her sorrow is most poignant. The funeral took place Monday, the interment being in the Lee Cemetery, four miles northeast of this city