ALLEN, Samuel
Source: Greencastle Star 19
June 1880 p 8
Last Friday in Franklin
Township, this county on the farm of Mr. Hymer, Samuel Allen, a well known
resident committed suicide by shooting. The facts connected with the sad affair
as we hear them are as follows: Allen and his wife did not get along together
very well and there had been more or less bickering and quarreling for a long
time. Some time before the tragedy Mrs. Allen had gone to her fathers and on
last Thursday evening her husband had gone there to talk matters over with her.
During the interview it was agreed that they should separate and to this end it
was determined that the relatives meet at Allen’s house, the next day to divide
the household goods. Allen then started for home but in the meantime decided to
remain over night at Mr. Lafollett’s residence. In the morning he requested Mr.
LaFollett to go home with him and on arrival there Lafollett was asked to go to
the residence of Allen’s brother and invite him to come over also. During Mr.
Lafolett’s absence, Allen again went over to his house and asked Mrs. Lafolett
for her husband’s pistol – a large navy revolver. She refused to let him have
it, but he was determined, took possession of the weapon and carried it away.
When the brother he had sent for arrived at the house, he found Allen breathing
his last, with a pistol wound in the head, showing that the ball entered near
the right ear, passed through and came out on the other side. He had written
quite a lengthy note before he committed the rash act, in which he bequeathed
his property to his wife and only child and also requested the former to attend
his funeral. Deceased was married in the year 1877 and was about 28 years of
age. By some it is thought that sickness to a great extent was the cause of
suicide for he had long been troubled with diseased stomach and lungs and
suffered greatly therefrom, while others attribute the act to domestic
troubles. The letter written by deceased before he committed the deed we
present below:
June the 10th, 1880
Dear Wife & Dear Child:
This is my last request: I want you to have what I have got and I want you to
make a sale and sell what I have all but the bed; and I want you to keep that
for Bertha; and Perlina, I want you to use the rest to the best use you can for
you and Bertha. Perlina, this tries the
heart of any man. Perlina, this is the hardest writing I ever tried to do.
Perlina, if you don’t want to keep my picture keep it for Bertha. Perlina, I want you to go to my burial and
see the last of me there. You will know what became of me. One more long and
sad night to me has gone and this is the last one I will see. Perlina, I want
this carried out as I have asked of you, so good bye forever. Samuel Allen to
his wife and child – Perlina, there is one thing I forgot. I want you to give
Frank something for taking care of me. I want Frank to settle my business for
you. Good bye to all of my friends. Farewell, farewell forever and God …