NEWSPAPERS: Death of Roy Thatcher, Phoenix, Jackson County, Oregon

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Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Elizabeth Corethers <Wordsmith@grrtech.com> 14 Feb 2003
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Jacksonville (Oregon) Post, Saturday, 11 September 1909, p. 1

KILLED HIMSELF

Roy Thatcher in temporary fit of insanity shoots himself at Phoenix,
Saturday afternoon - Funeral held in this city Monday.

Fear that he would kill both of his children while suffering temporary
derangement, to which spells he had been subject since receiving a blow on
the head two years ago, Roy Thatcher, a carpenter, sent a bullet into his
heart on last Saturday afternoon in Phoenix and died almost immediately.
The tragedy occurred in the immediate presence of his wife, who was
powerless to prevent it.

During the past two years Thatcher has suffered from spells of temporary
insanity caused by a blow received on the head. He has suffered greatly
during his same periods from a fear that he would some day take the lies of
his two small children while insane and not realizing what he was doing.
This fear grew upon him and at last drove him to his death. The unfortunate
man thought it better to take his own life than that of his children.

Last Saturday Mr. Thatcher was at work on the Furry house in Phoenix. He
seemed in good spirits. At noon he went to the house, talked to his
children a while, and after dinner went to his room and threw himself upon
the bed. He seemed to be lost in thought, when suddenly he reached for a
revolver and before his terror-stricken wife could interfere had sent the
bullet into his heart. He died almost immediately.

The unfortunate man is survived by his wife and two children, the eldest of
which, a boy three years and the second, a daughter, 18 months old. His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jared Thatcher, two brothers, and a sister, Mrs.
Walter Kitto of this place. 

Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Shields of Medford, were held in this
city Monday. Interment in the Jacksonville cemetery.