OBITUARY: Richland Newspaper - Brewer Library - Norman Family Manuscript

Took His Own Life

Thomas J. Norman, we well-to-do Farmer, shoots Himself in a Fit of Despondency.

Our many readers will remember Thomas Norman as a pleasantly situated farmer, who, with the exception of three years spent in Michigan, has been a life-long resident of the town of Henrietta. He was well and favorably known by nearly all the citizens of that town and was a man of agreeable and pleasant manners. Was very comfortably situated, having a goodly share of this world's goods, and one of the most cheerful homes imaginable. Had an estimable wife and four loving, bright-eyed children. But for all this, he got discouraged. Apparently ever since early last spring, when he was ill with the grippe, he had never been himself, always appearing moody and unwell. During the past few weeks he had been more than usually abstracted and would frequently wander off and remain for hours by himself. On Thursday morning of last week he was in one of his despondent moods and went out to look over his corn, with the intention of hoeing awhile. In a short time he returned to the house, heartily discouraged, saying that this was the worst season yet; that his corn was partly washed out and that it was still too wet to hoe. His wife endeavored to cheer him up, telling him that everything would be all right; that he was too unwell to work anyway, and had better lay down and rest. He remained at the house until after dinner and again started out. Not returning late in the afternoon, his wife sent the oldest son, a boy of nine years, in search of him. He came back about dark but had not seen his parent. Leaving the children alone at the house, Mrs. Norman started herself, but after visiting a couple of neighbors' houses, the search was abandoned, the neighbors partly allaying the distracted lady's fears by telling her that he had probably gone over to his brother's house. All night the wife and mother waited, but in vain. At the break of day she started again and getting the assistance of relatives and neighbors again resumed the search. Taking a route which they thought Mr. Norman had taken, they soon brought up at an old log house, on his brother's farm, about half a mile from his own home. Thinking that he might possibly have gone in there, search was made, and sure enough there he was in the second story, crouched down in the darkest corner, stone dead. At first it was thought he might have died of heart disease, as no wound was is sight; but when a jury was summoned to inquire into the affair and the body was raised up, the cause of death was plainly appeased? (article cuts out) in one of his fits of despondency he had retired to the room in the old house, and sitting down in a corner, had carefully placed a revolver to his right temple and sent a ball crashing through his brain. The revolver was found near his right hand, not being seen at first because he had fallen over on his side and concealed it from view.

The remains were removed to his home and funeral services held on Sunday. The sorrow stricken wife and children have the sympathy of the entire community in their loss of husband and father.