The son of George Larue & Sarah E. (Etter) Dickey, in 1860 he was living with his family in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and is in that census by his middle name.

A Civil War veteran, he enlisted at the stated age of eighteen in Harrisburg August 16, 1864, mustered into federal service there August 19 as a private with Co. C, 201st Pennsylvania Infantry, and honorably discharged with his company June 23, 1865.

Calvin Dickey's Third Attempt on His Life Was Successful

After having been frustrated in two attempts at suicide, Calvin Dickey, a white man, of 1413 Marion street, killed himself yesterday afternoon by pressing the trigger of a gun, held between his knees, with a cane. The charge entered his skull, causing instant death. Despondency because of the death of his wife, a Virginia Negress, was the cause. Dickey twice before attempted suicide, but each time his son, Charles, prevented him from accomplishing his Intent. The first attempt was two weeks ago, when Charles happened into his father's room just in time to snatch a razor away from his throat. Last Monday he returned home and found the door locked. He entered from the rear and found that Dickey had heated a poker red hot nearly to the handle and was about to force it down his throat. He begged to be let kill himself. Yesterday Charles and his wife went to a funeral. On their return they found Dickey on a chair with a wound in his head. A shot gun stood between his knees, muzzle upward, and In one hand there still was clutched a cane, with which he evidently had pressed down the trigger. Dickey's wife has been dead three years, but he never entirely recovered from his grief. He married her thirty years ago, returning to Virginia for her, having met her when South with the Union army in the Civil war. They lived at Winchester for several years, then came North. Dickey was 60 years old when his wife died. Soon after he suffered a stroke of paralysis, and was prevented from working. This also preyed upon his mind and he took to drink.

Clipped from

Harrisburg Daily Independent

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

28 Feb 1907, Thu • Page 1

DESPONDENT OLD MAN KILLS HIMSELF Despondent over the death of his wife, a Negress, Calvin Dickey, white, a long sufferer with paralysis, yesterday shot himself to death, using a cane to press the trigger of a shotgun, the barrel of which Dickey had placed against his head. The shot entered the temple, causing almost instant death. Dickey committed suicide at the home of his son, Charles, 1413 Eleventh - and - a - half street. His body was found late yesterday afternoon. This was the third attempt Dickey made on his life. Two weeks ago he tried to cut his throat with a razor and last Monday a son found him trying to force a red - hot poker down his throat. Five sons survive, Harry, Charles, Clarence, Walter and Howard. The funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Clipped from

Harrisburg Telegraph

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

28 Feb 1907, Thu • Page 1