On Thursday morning of last week, June 23, at the hour of two o’clock, David Graham Miner, a well-to-do and respected citizen, who resided on his farm about one and a half miles southwest of Astoria, while in a state of temporary derangement, fired a shot that sent him quickly into eternity.
For some time past he had been suffering greatly from physical ills attendant upon old age, a late complication adding to these Bright’s disease. As these times of suffering came upon him he grew morose, his mind became unbalanced and he threatened to take his life, on one or two occasions planning deliberately to commit the deed.
On the day previous to his death he carefully prepared a rope to hang himself, addressing a note to his neighbors saying that he did this act in order to keep from starving and that he did it in the name of the Lord his heavenly Father.
On the night of his self destruction he arose from his bed and went outdoors. He was prevailed upon by his wife who was alone with him, to return to the house. He at once seized the single barreled shotgun and prepared for the act by tying a tow string to the trigger with which he fired the gun, by pulling it with his toe, having first put out the light, he placed the muzzle of the gun near his heart and refusing to listen to the entreaties of his wife the deed was done, the whole charge of shot passing through his body and entering the wall near the ceiling of the kitchen.
Mrs. Miner at once ran to the nearest neighbor, Wm. Shaw, who with his hired hand was soon at the scene of carnage. Mr. Miner was not then dead, but soon after expired.
Coroner Dr. A. C. Clutz, of Ellisville, was notified and arrived about 4 p.m., when he impaneled the following jurymen who returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts: Dr. Alfred J. Baxter, foreman; John Littlejohn, J. D. Waggoner, Dr. E. P. Emerson, Lee Camp, A. E. Scott.
David G. Miner was born April 29, 1827, in Indiana, consequently he was 76 years one month and 22 years old. He had lived in this locality for ten years and had previously lived near Summum and formerly near Adair in McDonough county. He is survived by his wife, Anna, whom he married 12 years ago, and three children by his first wife, namely:
Perry who resides at Mankato, Kansas; Loren of Knox City, Mo.,; and Charlotte Williams, of near Adair. He also leaves a brother and sister, John Miner, of Table Grove and Rebecca Shields, of Adair.
The remains were taken to Adair for interment on Saturday morning. Rev. F. M. Branic officiated in the funeral services.
The sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of all.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus