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Wednesday's Child: Eaton
Mar. 22nd, 2011 06:42 pmNo photo.
This death notice has bothered me ever since I found it while scrolling through microfilm at the Arkansas History Commission a couple of weekends ago.
The article appeared in the Southern Standard on 17 Feb 1877.
A SIX YEAR-OLD BOY'S SUICIDE
A six year-old son of Dr. A. R. Eaton, of Elizabeth, N S, committed suicide, on Saturday, by shooting himself in the breast. It seems the little fellow has been despondent during the last few weeks, owing to the death of a sister, who had been his constant companion, and on more than one occasion threatened to kill himself. His parents endeavoured to cheer him and divert his thoughts, but to their efforts he replied that he wanted to be an angel and live with his little sister. On Saturday morning his mother chided him for something, whereupon he went away apparently much affected. Shortly after this Mrs. Eaton heard the report of a pistol, and rushing up the stairs was met by her son, who pointed to the bullet wound in his breast, said "Don't cry, mamma: I won't die; the bullet didn't hit my heart." He retained his consciousness until the bullet was extracted, when he died. - Boston Globe
This death notice has bothered me ever since I found it while scrolling through microfilm at the Arkansas History Commission a couple of weekends ago.
The article appeared in the Southern Standard on 17 Feb 1877.
A SIX YEAR-OLD BOY'S SUICIDE
A six year-old son of Dr. A. R. Eaton, of Elizabeth, N S, committed suicide, on Saturday, by shooting himself in the breast. It seems the little fellow has been despondent during the last few weeks, owing to the death of a sister, who had been his constant companion, and on more than one occasion threatened to kill himself. His parents endeavoured to cheer him and divert his thoughts, but to their efforts he replied that he wanted to be an angel and live with his little sister. On Saturday morning his mother chided him for something, whereupon he went away apparently much affected. Shortly after this Mrs. Eaton heard the report of a pistol, and rushing up the stairs was met by her son, who pointed to the bullet wound in his breast, said "Don't cry, mamma: I won't die; the bullet didn't hit my heart." He retained his consciousness until the bullet was extracted, when he died. - Boston Globe
