Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= Berrien County Record Thursday, 24 February, 1870 Suicide - On Saturday, EDWARD THAYER, a young man of about nineteen years of age, shot and killed himself. Young THAYER was living with his parents and brothers, in Niles Township, some four miles north east of Buchanan, at the time of the commission of the sad act. He was said to be a very quiet, peaceable and industrious young man, but given somewhat to melancholy. A Coroner's Jury was summoned on Saturday, by J. N. Chipman, Esq., of Niles. What their verdict was we have not certainly learned, as we understand it was considerably mixed, and had to be revised. The circumstances as near as we can learn them, were these: On Saturday he took the gun and stated that he would go to the "other place," (they having owned another farm, but re- cently sold it) and kill a chicken. This was about 10 o'clock a.m. Not returning, he was found dead about 4 o'clock p.m., with the gun in such a position as to indicate that he had deliberately shot himself. On the table at home was found a note, stating that a paper would be found in his pocket ex- plaining all. Such paper was found, wherein one reason as- signed, we understand, for the commission of the rash act, was that his older brother could or would not pay him a sum of money which he owed him, some $300 or $400. In this paper also directions were given as to the disposition of his ef- fects. From the facts, as far as we can learn them, it seemed the young man had contemplated the deed for some time. The affair is, to some extent, veiled in a little mystery, and will be till the full publication of the papers referred to, and the evidence upon which the coroner's jury found their verdict. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Berrien County Record Thursday, 3 March, 1870 EDWARD THAYER - Suicide - The Letter The following is a complete copy of the entire letter or paper found in the pocket book of young THAYER, an account of whose suicide we published in last week's RRCORD. It might be well here to explain that the Coroner's jury ren- dered their verdict of "accidental shooting: before this letter was found. The original letter is now in our pos- session to make this publication therefrom. Allusion is made therein to a sum of money which his brother GEORGE owed him. This sum was $252.00. EDWARD wanted to go to Missouri last fall, and felt much disappointed that GEORGE was not able to raise the money for him at that time. He, however, had concluded to stay and work this winter for his brother, and in the spring go to Missouri with his older brother, WILLIAM. We think that it will be evident to any one, on reading the contents of the letter, that the mind of EDWARD THAYER could not have been perfectly sane. Its disconnected and melancholy style fully demonstrate this. The letter is without any signature, and bears the marks of having been carried in his pocket sometime: THE LETTER My dear friends, I leave this for my last discouragement. This winter has been a long one with me. My first great discouragement was last fall, when I could not get my money of GEORGE. My last courage has failed, it is better not to live at all than to not live like a man. Well, GEORGE, I have always done as I agreed with you until last fall. Don't mourn for me too much, my days are numbered. Well, GEORGE, please give that money to mother when due, except $25 to father. Give WILL $8.50 for the coat, my trunk to CHARLIE. This winter has looked dark. I had made up my mind to do this for the last two months. When I look back on my life I can see the happiness which has passed me. I look back on my life in discouragement. I have not had enough courage in myself. I can look back and see the pleasure that the young folks are taking the time to commence when young, it is too late for me. Good selections learn. Know you are right and then stick to it. Do not give up to any one when you know you are right. I like to be with young folks as well as anybody. I like to see pleasure and every= thing lively as well as others. I am too late, hard, but true. Don't mourn too much for me, mother. These things are - have so to be. I am too late to make anything of my self. Good by to all. Good by to all. Many faithful days work I have done. Better to live well than long. I am not as dum as you may think. I have not done much this winter. ===========================================================================