Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1906 — SAM HUNTER COMMITS SUICIDE. [ARTICLE]

SAM HUNTER COMMITS SUICIDE.

Former Employe of John F. Judy Shuffles Off Vis Morphine Route. Wednesday'* Montioello Journal. Dr. Cray, oounty coroner, was called to Reynolds yesterday afternoon to look after the body of Samuel A. Hunter, who was found dead in bed at the Reynolds Hotel. Coroner Cray found that Hunter had died from the effects of an overdose of morphine, taken with suicidal intent. Hunter had spent several days in Reynolds and it was understood after bis death, that he was biding and was trying to escape the sheriff of Warren county, who had a warrant for his arrest on an indictment returned by the grand jury of that county for assault with intent to kill. The indictment was returned last week. The morphine that ended Hunter’s life was purchased in Reynolds. Huuter was stopping at the Reynolds house, conducted by James R. Casto, and retired at the usual time Monday night. He was called for. breakfast yesterday morning, but did not respond. Nothing was thought of this fact, however, and he was heard breathing about noon. As everything was quiet in his room at 3 o’clock, and he had not made his appearance, an investigation was made and it was found that he was dead. He did not leave any message and there was nothing unusual about the condition of the room. The body was turned over to Kruger & Quade, funeral directors, who will forward the remains to Williamsport, today. The deceased was a nephew of John and had led acheokered career for the past few years, on account of a number of doubtful transactions in which he claimed that Judy, his employer, was deeply implicated. The assault for which he was recently indicted grew out of one of these cases. Joel Briggs, of Williamsport, was one of the witnesses against Hunter when he was on trial for grand larceny, and some of the testimony given by him offended Hunter to such an extent that he tried to kill Briggs about two months ago. The men met in a saloon in Williamsport and the altercation ended in Hunter plunging the blade of a pocketknife into Briggs’ neck. Hunter was arrested and gave bond for his appearance in court, when the matter was investigated by the grand jury. After the jury made its report, Hunter left Williamsport and went to South Bend to take a position. When he heard that the grand jury had indicted him for assault with intent to kill and was informed that the sheriff was looking for him, he decided to put himself out of the way in the most effective manner that could be found, and took a fatal dose of morphine. . ■ Hunter was quite well known in this county, and was in Rensselaer last Sunday night. He got off the milk train at Parr Sunday night and was then under the influence of liquor. He knew W. L. Wood there, who used to be in partnership with John F. Jody, and told Mr. Wood that he was “broke.” The latter brought him to Rensselaer and paid for bis supper at Goff’s restaurant, and gave him money to purchase a ticket to Lafayette. He took the night train here, as Mr. Wood supposed for Lafayette, but it seems only went as far As Reynolds.