NEWSPAPERS: SUICIDE OF HENRY H. RATRIE OF LAKE CREEK, JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elizabeth Corethers 19 Nov 2002 ********************************************************************************* RATRIE, Henry H., Medford (Oregon) Mail Tribune, Friday, 31 Aug 1906, p. 1: Suicide at Lake Creek. H. H. Ratrie, of Lake creek, aged thirty-four years, committed suicide at his farm in that section Sunday evening by shooting himself through the head with a repeating rifle. Ratrie had suffered from an attack of typhoid fever during the spring and went to work too soon after his convalescence. As a consequence he took a relapse and never fully recovered. It is supposed that the fact of his regaining his strength so slowly preyed upon his mind to such an extent that in a fit of despondency he took his own life. Henry Tonn, his brother-in-law, had the farm rented and Ratrie made his home with him. On the night of the suicide Tonn had retired but Mrs. Tonn was still up. She heard Ratrie throw a cartridge into the rifle and, her suspicions being aroused, started for her brother's room. Just as she reached the door she heard her brother say, "I'll put an end to this now," and as she opened the door the rifle was discharged. The suicide had placed the muzzle of the gun to his forehead and the force of the explosion had literally torn the top of his head off, and sprinkled Mrs. Tonn with her brother's blood, as she stood in the door. An inquest was held and a verdict in accordance with the above facts was rendered.