A shocking tragedy

Luray museum

October 2, 1890The violent death by his own hand of Lewis McHenry Weaver on last Thursday night at his home in this place was one of the most shocking tragedies that ever occurred in this community.

The act was committed with a .32 calibre revolver, the ball entering the right temple and coming out on the opposite side of the head, death being almost instantaneous.

Willie Weaver, the eldest son of the deceased, occupied the room with his father, and, it is said, tried several times during the night to get the weapon away from him, but without avail.

The statement is that the deceased laid down on the floor and said something about “ending all this,” and then committed the awful deed.

The cause of the rash act is doubtless due to whiskey, though the day before his death all who were with him noticed no unusual effects from it, but on the contrary was thought to be sober.

The deceased was a man of splendid talents, and was noted for the accuracy and capability with which he discharged any work committed to his care.

He was well educated and had it not been for his one fault he could have attained anything that he chose in this community.

Honest, upright, true to his convictions, none who knew poor Lewis Weaver can refrain from placing this immortelle upon his untimely grave.

He was in the 44th year of his age, and leaves four children, three boys and one girl, his wife having died about 18 months ago. 

~ From the public archives of the Page News and Courier

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