AGED MAN GOES "PISTOL ROUTE"
T.K. Batson Committs Suicide at Bannack; Despondent Over Feebleness
Theodore K. Batson of Bannack, 70 year old prospector, committed suicide about seven o'clock last Sunday evening. After writing a note in which he gave his reason for the deed as incapacity to work owing to his feebleness, he took his .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver and went out behind the bar, and after lying on the ground, shot himself through the head. Those who hastened to the spot when they heard the single shot found the old man lying dead with his arms folded upon his breast. Coroner Jim Phillips, Sheriff Dan Mooney and Undertaker Hiram Brundage left at once for the scene and brought the body into Dillon Sunday night. It was decided not to hold an inquest. As instructed in notes in his diary and in his final statement, Batson's sister, Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N. J., and his brother, George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. were notified. Word was received to hold the funeral here and the services were conducted in the Brundage undertaking parlors Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock by the Rev. T.W. Bennett of the St. James Episcopal church.
AGE INFIRMITIES A CAUSE.
Extracts from the diary found on the body indicates that he has been brooding over his feebleness for the past three years and that the contemplated suicide. A note in the diary headed at Philipsburg on Oct. 22, 1918 stated:
"If anything should happen to me-- please notify Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. -- I have a small cache of currency in my cabin at Bannack." On another page in the diary--under no date he wrote--"If anything serious should happen to me while alone, please bury my remains and inform Mrs.s or Miss Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. and George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. and oblige.--Theodore K. Batson."
ELECTS TO "GO THE PISTOL ROUTE"
When the man committed suicide, overalls and work shirt and worn cloth house slippers formed his outer garb. In the last note he wrote in his diary, just before taking his life, he provided for everyone who took part in the burial to receive five dollars. He wrote: "I am past 70 years of age and unable to work--think I will end it all by the pistol route. Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts.--Theodore K. Batson"
P.S.--Bury me with the clothes I have on--don't bother to wash my body--Mother Earth will attend to that. Pay each one that helps at the burial five dollars.
Published in the Dillon Tribune 17 Jun 1921∼Burial Date: 12 June 1921
The Dillon Examiner
Wednesday, June 15, 1921
Page 1
Aged Prospector's Troubles Over Now - Batson Suicides
Too Old To Work Bannack Resident Takes Own Life - Leaves Enough Money For Burial Expenses
Theodore Batson, prospector at Bannack, committed suicide last Sunday by shooting himself through the head with a pistol. The man's body was found by neighbors just on the outside of his cabin door.
That Batson had contemplated suicide for some time is shown by the fact that he kept a diary and wrote out his thoughts from time to time.
On June 11 he wrote: "If anything should happen me while alone please bury my remains and inform Mrs. or Miss Mary Miles at Kackettown (sic), N. J., and D. Batson at Bridd's Lake, N. J."
On June 12, the day he ended it all, Baston wrote: "Am past 70 years of age and unable to work think I will end it all by the pistol rout.
"Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts. Bury me with cloth on. Do not wash my body as Mother earth will tend to that. Pay each one who helps at my funeral 5 dollars each."
The diary shows that the aged man contemplated taking his life two years ago while residing at Phillipsburg, for a note was found to that effect and stated that money for burial expenses would be found in the cellar of his cabin at Bannack.
Batson had resided at Bannack for the past five years. Very little is known of his life but relatives have been notified of the tragedy which ended his career.∼Another newspaper article states his sister's last name is Wiley who lived in Hackettstown, N. J.
T.K. Batson Committs Suicide at Bannack; Despondent Over Feebleness
Theodore K. Batson of Bannack, 70 year old prospector, committed suicide about seven o'clock last Sunday evening. After writing a note in which he gave his reason for the deed as incapacity to work owing to his feebleness, he took his .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver and went out behind the bar, and after lying on the ground, shot himself through the head. Those who hastened to the spot when they heard the single shot found the old man lying dead with his arms folded upon his breast. Coroner Jim Phillips, Sheriff Dan Mooney and Undertaker Hiram Brundage left at once for the scene and brought the body into Dillon Sunday night. It was decided not to hold an inquest. As instructed in notes in his diary and in his final statement, Batson's sister, Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N. J., and his brother, George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. were notified. Word was received to hold the funeral here and the services were conducted in the Brundage undertaking parlors Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock by the Rev. T.W. Bennett of the St. James Episcopal church.
AGE INFIRMITIES A CAUSE.
Extracts from the diary found on the body indicates that he has been brooding over his feebleness for the past three years and that the contemplated suicide. A note in the diary headed at Philipsburg on Oct. 22, 1918 stated:
"If anything should happen to me-- please notify Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. -- I have a small cache of currency in my cabin at Bannack." On another page in the diary--under no date he wrote--"If anything serious should happen to me while alone, please bury my remains and inform Mrs.s or Miss Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. and George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. and oblige.--Theodore K. Batson."
ELECTS TO "GO THE PISTOL ROUTE"
When the man committed suicide, overalls and work shirt and worn cloth house slippers formed his outer garb. In the last note he wrote in his diary, just before taking his life, he provided for everyone who took part in the burial to receive five dollars. He wrote: "I am past 70 years of age and unable to work--think I will end it all by the pistol route. Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts.--Theodore K. Batson"
P.S.--Bury me with the clothes I have on--don't bother to wash my body--Mother Earth will attend to that. Pay each one that helps at the burial five dollars.
Published in the Dillon Tribune 17 Jun 1921∼Burial Date: 12 June 1921
The Dillon Examiner
Wednesday, June 15, 1921
Page 1
Aged Prospector's Troubles Over Now - Batson Suicides
Too Old To Work Bannack Resident Takes Own Life - Leaves Enough Money For Burial Expenses
Theodore Batson, prospector at Bannack, committed suicide last Sunday by shooting himself through the head with a pistol. The man's body was found by neighbors just on the outside of his cabin door.
That Batson had contemplated suicide for some time is shown by the fact that he kept a diary and wrote out his thoughts from time to time.
On June 11 he wrote: "If anything should happen me while alone please bury my remains and inform Mrs. or Miss Mary Miles at Kackettown (sic), N. J., and D. Batson at Bridd's Lake, N. J."
On June 12, the day he ended it all, Baston wrote: "Am past 70 years of age and unable to work think I will end it all by the pistol rout.
"Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts. Bury me with cloth on. Do not wash my body as Mother earth will tend to that. Pay each one who helps at my funeral 5 dollars each."
The diary shows that the aged man contemplated taking his life two years ago while residing at Phillipsburg, for a note was found to that effect and stated that money for burial expenses would be found in the cellar of his cabin at Bannack.
Batson had resided at Bannack for the past five years. Very little is known of his life but relatives have been notified of the tragedy which ended his career.∼Another newspaper article states his sister's last name is Wiley who lived in Hackettstown, N. J.
AGED MAN GOES "PISTOL ROUTE"
T.K. Batson Committs Suicide at Bannack; Despondent Over Feebleness
Theodore K. Batson of Bannack, 70 year old prospector, committed suicide about seven o'clock last Sunday evening. After writing a note in which he gave his reason for the deed as incapacity to work owing to his feebleness, he took his .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver and went out behind the bar, and after lying on the ground, shot himself through the head. Those who hastened to the spot when they heard the single shot found the old man lying dead with his arms folded upon his breast. Coroner Jim Phillips, Sheriff Dan Mooney and Undertaker Hiram Brundage left at once for the scene and brought the body into Dillon Sunday night. It was decided not to hold an inquest. As instructed in notes in his diary and in his final statement, Batson's sister, Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N. J., and his brother, George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. were notified. Word was received to hold the funeral here and the services were conducted in the Brundage undertaking parlors Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock by the Rev. T.W. Bennett of the St. James Episcopal church.
AGE INFIRMITIES A CAUSE.
Extracts from the diary found on the body indicates that he has been brooding over his feebleness for the past three years and that the contemplated suicide. A note in the diary headed at Philipsburg on Oct. 22, 1918 stated:
"If anything should happen to me-- please notify Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. -- I have a small cache of currency in my cabin at Bannack." On another page in the diary--under no date he wrote--"If anything serious should happen to me while alone, please bury my remains and inform Mrs.s or Miss Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. and George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. and oblige.--Theodore K. Batson."
ELECTS TO "GO THE PISTOL ROUTE"
When the man committed suicide, overalls and work shirt and worn cloth house slippers formed his outer garb. In the last note he wrote in his diary, just before taking his life, he provided for everyone who took part in the burial to receive five dollars. He wrote: "I am past 70 years of age and unable to work--think I will end it all by the pistol route. Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts.--Theodore K. Batson"
P.S.--Bury me with the clothes I have on--don't bother to wash my body--Mother Earth will attend to that. Pay each one that helps at the burial five dollars.
Published in the Dillon Tribune 17 Jun 1921∼Burial Date: 12 June 1921
The Dillon Examiner
Wednesday, June 15, 1921
Page 1
Aged Prospector's Troubles Over Now - Batson Suicides
Too Old To Work Bannack Resident Takes Own Life - Leaves Enough Money For Burial Expenses
Theodore Batson, prospector at Bannack, committed suicide last Sunday by shooting himself through the head with a pistol. The man's body was found by neighbors just on the outside of his cabin door.
That Batson had contemplated suicide for some time is shown by the fact that he kept a diary and wrote out his thoughts from time to time.
On June 11 he wrote: "If anything should happen me while alone please bury my remains and inform Mrs. or Miss Mary Miles at Kackettown (sic), N. J., and D. Batson at Bridd's Lake, N. J."
On June 12, the day he ended it all, Baston wrote: "Am past 70 years of age and unable to work think I will end it all by the pistol rout.
"Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts. Bury me with cloth on. Do not wash my body as Mother earth will tend to that. Pay each one who helps at my funeral 5 dollars each."
The diary shows that the aged man contemplated taking his life two years ago while residing at Phillipsburg, for a note was found to that effect and stated that money for burial expenses would be found in the cellar of his cabin at Bannack.
Batson had resided at Bannack for the past five years. Very little is known of his life but relatives have been notified of the tragedy which ended his career.∼Another newspaper article states his sister's last name is Wiley who lived in Hackettstown, N. J.
T.K. Batson Committs Suicide at Bannack; Despondent Over Feebleness
Theodore K. Batson of Bannack, 70 year old prospector, committed suicide about seven o'clock last Sunday evening. After writing a note in which he gave his reason for the deed as incapacity to work owing to his feebleness, he took his .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver and went out behind the bar, and after lying on the ground, shot himself through the head. Those who hastened to the spot when they heard the single shot found the old man lying dead with his arms folded upon his breast. Coroner Jim Phillips, Sheriff Dan Mooney and Undertaker Hiram Brundage left at once for the scene and brought the body into Dillon Sunday night. It was decided not to hold an inquest. As instructed in notes in his diary and in his final statement, Batson's sister, Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N. J., and his brother, George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. were notified. Word was received to hold the funeral here and the services were conducted in the Brundage undertaking parlors Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock by the Rev. T.W. Bennett of the St. James Episcopal church.
AGE INFIRMITIES A CAUSE.
Extracts from the diary found on the body indicates that he has been brooding over his feebleness for the past three years and that the contemplated suicide. A note in the diary headed at Philipsburg on Oct. 22, 1918 stated:
"If anything should happen to me-- please notify Mrs. Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. -- I have a small cache of currency in my cabin at Bannack." On another page in the diary--under no date he wrote--"If anything serious should happen to me while alone, please bury my remains and inform Mrs.s or Miss Mary Wiley of Hackettstown, N.J. and George D. Batson of Bridds Lake, N.J. and oblige.--Theodore K. Batson."
ELECTS TO "GO THE PISTOL ROUTE"
When the man committed suicide, overalls and work shirt and worn cloth house slippers formed his outer garb. In the last note he wrote in his diary, just before taking his life, he provided for everyone who took part in the burial to receive five dollars. He wrote: "I am past 70 years of age and unable to work--think I will end it all by the pistol route. Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts.--Theodore K. Batson"
P.S.--Bury me with the clothes I have on--don't bother to wash my body--Mother Earth will attend to that. Pay each one that helps at the burial five dollars.
Published in the Dillon Tribune 17 Jun 1921∼Burial Date: 12 June 1921
The Dillon Examiner
Wednesday, June 15, 1921
Page 1
Aged Prospector's Troubles Over Now - Batson Suicides
Too Old To Work Bannack Resident Takes Own Life - Leaves Enough Money For Burial Expenses
Theodore Batson, prospector at Bannack, committed suicide last Sunday by shooting himself through the head with a pistol. The man's body was found by neighbors just on the outside of his cabin door.
That Batson had contemplated suicide for some time is shown by the fact that he kept a diary and wrote out his thoughts from time to time.
On June 11 he wrote: "If anything should happen me while alone please bury my remains and inform Mrs. or Miss Mary Miles at Kackettown (sic), N. J., and D. Batson at Bridd's Lake, N. J."
On June 12, the day he ended it all, Baston wrote: "Am past 70 years of age and unable to work think I will end it all by the pistol rout.
"Find enough funds in my coat pocket to pay all debts. Bury me with cloth on. Do not wash my body as Mother earth will tend to that. Pay each one who helps at my funeral 5 dollars each."
The diary shows that the aged man contemplated taking his life two years ago while residing at Phillipsburg, for a note was found to that effect and stated that money for burial expenses would be found in the cellar of his cabin at Bannack.
Batson had resided at Bannack for the past five years. Very little is known of his life but relatives have been notified of the tragedy which ended his career.∼Another newspaper article states his sister's last name is Wiley who lived in Hackettstown, N. J.
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