KELLEY, John, Sr.
Date of death: 13 Jul 1885 Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana
Franklin Evening Star, Monday, July 13, 1885, page 1
SUICIDE
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John Kelley, Sr. Shoots Himself
Through the Mouth
Causing Instant Death
--- The Son’s Statement
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The city was startled this morning by the report that John Kelley, Sr., had committed suicide early this morning. The facts of the case are substantially as follow, as gleaned from his son, John Kelley, Jr.; I came home last might and saw father before I went to bed. My revolver was in its usual place on the stand. During the night I thought I heard a noise in the house and I called to father and he said he was in bed. In about 10 minutes I was fast asleep again. I slept heavy, and when I awoke, I saw it was half-past six o’clock. I wondered why father had not called me sooner. I got up and not seeing him about the house I began looking for him and found him sitting in an out house with his best clothes on and a piece of carpet wrapped about him. I called in a neighbor at once. Afterwards my revolver was found in the vault. He was dead when I found him. In reply to a question as to the cause, by Justice Whitesides, Mr. Kelley replied: “I think it was on account of mother’s death. Ever since her death in June, he has been in great trouble.” Mr. Kelley was totally blind and had been so for many years. The coroner rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts. Much sympathy is expressed for the bereaved children.
Submitted by Lois Johnson