Crist - Rolla G.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 9 February 1900
Great surprise and sorrow was manifested here on Thursday when a telephone message announced the death by suicide of Rollo G. Crist. Mr. Crist was known as a successful businessman, cheerful under all circumstances, and it was not until it was explained that his health had failed rapidly of late that a motive could be found.
The sad and tragic happening occurred in the morning at half past six o’clock in his hardware store in New Market. He with his family resided in rooms over the store and Thursday morning while Mrs. Crist was getting breakfast he went down stairs into the store room. He placed on the floor behind the stove several blankets and a cushion and upon this improvised couch he lay down and deliberately took his life. His wife and sons were startled by two pistol shots in quick succession and going at once to the store room they found Mr. Crist lying lifeless. His feet were crossed and in one hand he still held the revolver with which he took his life. He had evidently not struggled in the least and had died immediately after the second shot, which was just above the eyebrow. The first shot was fired through his breast and would have proved fatal. He was only partially dressed and wore his carpet slippers. The revolver was a new one and had been taken from the case in the store. He gave no intimation of the deed to anyone and Wednesday seemed in his usual spirits, going to his son’s shop to be shaved, and afterwards talking with his friends and neighbors. Mr. Crist had been in failing health for about two months and had become quite despondent although managing to keep up a fair face while talking to his friends. He felt, however, that he would never recover and the thought evidently so preyed on his mind that he became unbalanced. His death was a terrible shock to his family and friends and caused great excitement in New Market, where such an end to this popular citizen had never been dreamed of.
Mr. Crist was a self made man and was born and raised near Plainfield, Hendricks County. He worked hard from his boyhood and had an excellent and paying business in New Market. His domestic relations were of the most pleasant character and he leaves a wife and three children; A daughter, Mrs. Murphy, and two sons, Lee and Claude, the latter being a student at the Crawfordsville Business College.
Before committing the rash act, Mr. Crist wrote a letter found after his death. This was directed “dear children,” and its contents were of a nature private.
The funeral will take place on Saturday morning at 10:30 at the M. E. Church at New Market. Rev. Crouser of Darlington, will conduct the services and the K. of P. will have charge of the funeral. -s
Source: Unknown
R.G. Crist is still in business with enlarged facilities. He had added to his large stock of hardware, furniture, stove, oils, etc, a large storage and packing room which is crowded full. He sells everything carried by any general store. He states that his trade increased 1/3 last year. He is up to date when it comes to business methods.
Source: Waveland Independent, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana, Friday, Feb 9, 1900
On Thursday morning word was received here that Mr. Rolla G. CRIST of New Market had shot himself. Coroner Ball immediately went to the scene of the tragedy and found the facts to be substantially as follows: Mr. Crist was a middle aged man engaged in thehardware business at New Market and seemingly prosperous. For the past 6 months he had not been well, and for a week had been confined to a bed. On Wednesday evening the physician in attendance found him somewhat better, but melancholy and despondent, although more cheerful than he had ben. He and his wie and two sons, aged 18 and 21 had rooms over the store. About six o'clock he went into one of the son's rooms, and took the store keys from under the pillow. He then went downstiars and shortly after the wife heard two shots. She roused the boys who found their father lying dead on the floor. He had made a pallet out of a horse blanket and pillow and had lain down before f! iring the fatal shots. - typed by kbz
Source: Waveland Independent, Friday, Feb 9, 1900
On Thursday morning word was received here that Mr. Rolla G. CRIST of New Market had shot himself. Coroner Ball immediately went to the scene of the tragedy and found the facts to be substantially as follows: Mr. Crist was a middle aged man engaged int he hardware business at New Market and seemingly prosperous. For the past 6 months he had not been well, and for a week had been confined to a bed. On Wednesday evening the physician in attendance found him somewhat better, but melancholy and despondent, although more cheerful than he had ben. He and his wie and two sons, aged 18 and 21 had rooms over the store. About six o'clock he went into one of the son's rooms, and took the store keys from under the pillow. He then went downstiars and shortly after the wife heard two shots. She roused the boys who found their father lying dead on the floor. He had made a pallet out of a horse blanket and pillow and had lain down before f! iring the fatal shots. One ball presumably the first, entered the breast just above the heart. He then evidently placed the muzzle of the revolver in his mouth and fired the second shot which passed out at the base of the brain. Death was instantaneous. Mr. Cirst had evidently deliberated over the deed as he left a letter to his brother-in-law, Mr. Childers in which he explained that he had been blackmailed and slandered. He stood well in the community, was a good business man, a member of the Baptist Church and the K of P. He leaves a wife, two sons and a married daughter. He has many friends here who regret his rash act.
Source: Waveland Independent, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana, Friday, Feb 16 1900
One ball presumably the first, entered the breast just above the heart. He then evidently placed the muzzle of the revolver in his mouth and fired the second shot which passed out at the base of the brain. Death was instantaneous. Mr. Cirst had evidently deliberated over the deed as he left a letter to his brother-in-law, Mr. Childers in which he explained that he had been blackmailed and slandered. He stood well in the community, was a good business man, a member of the Baptist Church and the K of P. He leaves a wife, two sons and a married daughter. He has many friends here who regret his rash act. typed by kbz