Coweta-Clarke County GaArchives Obituaries.....Welch, James A. ca. Dec 1881 / Jan 1882
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Candace (Teal) Gravelle http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00023.html#0005680 April 8, 2007, 12:35 am

"The Carroll County Times"
Carrollton, Carroll Co., Georgia

NEWSPAPER Issue of Friday, JANUARY 6, 1882

DEATH OF JUDGE WELCH
>From The Newnan Herald

One of the oddest tragedies which ever startled any community was enacted in 
our midst last Monday morning. It was the self-murder of Mr. James A. Welch by 
hanging. Early in the morning, he went out to the stable lot as was his 
custom and when breakfast was ready, some one went to call him in. To the 
great horror of the family, he was found hanging to a rope in the stable, his 
neck broken. Some of the neighbors were hastily summoned and when taken down, 
his heart had not quite ceased to beat ; ( he died a short while later). Such 
universal surprise and sorrow and sympathy were never before called forth in 
this community by any event.

Mr. Welch came to this county from Athens in 1840 when quite a young man and 
in company with his brother Frank, commenced the publication of the Southern 
Transcript. In 1844 he became the sole publisher and changed the name of his 
paper to the Georgia Banner, continuing its publication until 1849 when he 
started the Banner and Sentinel, which was discontinued at the beginning of 
the war in 1860.

At the close of the war between the states, he associated himself with Mr. J. 
C. Wooten in the publication of the Newnan Herald, continuing in this relation 
until Sept. 1880 when he sold his interest in the paper to the present editor.

Through all these years, his integrity has never been assailed, but he has 
been honored in both secular and religious life as few citizens have been. A 
ruling elder of the Presbyterian church, he ever delighted in the service of 
the sanctuary and was a frequent attendant upon the services of other churches 
in the community.

During the last two weeks of his life among men, those who are most intimate 
with him, observed a change in his demeanor, which was not then particularly 
commented upon, but which is well remembered in light of subsequent events; 
and there seems no doubt that his mind was beclouded and reason dethroned in 
the sad calamity.

The funeral services were conducted at the residence by the pastor, Dr. Stacy, 
on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of a large concourse of grief-stricken 
friends.

Additional Comments:
Buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan, Coweta Co., Georgia

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