Berrien County MI Archives Obituaries.....Cox, Perl January 28, 1886 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mary Ellen Drolet MaryDrolet@comcast.net March 27, 2010, 10:12 pm Buchanan Record, Thurs. Feb. 4, 1886, page 3, col. 4 Buchanan Record, Thurs. Feb. 4, 1886, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library ONE MORE--Following close upon the tragedy at Chicago, in which Chas. Clowes was the victim, comes another in this place, last Thursday evening, when Perl Cox, a cousin of Clowes, stepped into the Roe Rros'[sic] hadware store and shot himself. Perl was about twenty-eight [sic] old, and since the departure of his father, Wm. H. Cox about six years since, has had the care of his mother and younger brother, and was usually a good hand, but once in a while having a spree. Thursday afternoon he met John Smith on the street and after speaking about work, commenced crying, and told Smith he would be a dead man before morning. They went together to Lister's livery stable, and from there to Geo. Samson's hardware store, when Perl asked to be shown a revolver. After examining it he handed it back and asked to have it loaded. At this Smith shook his head at George, who, thinking all might not be right, returned the revolver to the case, and told Perl he had better not have it then. Perl then crossed the street to Roe Bros'. and was shortly followed by Smith, who repeated the performance as in the other store. Mr. Ellis Roe, with whom Perl was dealing, noticing the actions of Smith asked, "What's the matter? Is there anything up?" Perl answered "No," and said he world return it in the morning, and as he had been in the habit of borrowing such instruments there for a few days at a time, Ellis let him have it. Smith started toward him, as he sat upon the counter, to remonstrate with him, but he drew the revolver on Smith and caused him to seek safer quarters. He then threw his feet up onto the counter, placed the revolver to his right temple and fired, the ball, a 38 calibre entering the head in the direction of the left ear. Medical assistance was called, and the wound probed to the depth of five inches, but the ball could not be found, or anything done for him as he had made sure work. The shot was fired about 7:30 and he lived until a few minutes after 10 o'clock, being unconscious during the entire time. The funeral which was held in the Oak Street Advent Church, drew a large crowd. The ceremonies were conducted by Eld. Finney. Niles Republican, Thursday, February 4, 1886, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library At fifteen minutes of eight Thursday night Pearl Cox, of Buchanan, while in Roe Brothers' hardware store in that place, shot himself with a revolver killing him almost instantly. What induced the young man to commit so rash a deed we are unable to learn before going to press. He was a cousin of Cowles [sic] who killed himself in Chicago and was buried in Buchanan on Tuesday. He was a single man, 28 years of age. Berrien Sp. Journal Niles Mirror, Wed. Feb. 3, 1886, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library Pearl Cox, a man about 28 years old, committed suicide at Buchanan last Friday, by shooting himself with a revolver in the head. The New York Times, Sat. January 30, 1886, page 5, col 4, Ancestry.com UNABLE TO PREVENT A SUICIDE Buchanan, Mich., Jan. 29--The residents of this city were greatly excited last night over the sensational suicide of P. Cox, a successful young mechanic, about 30 years old. He was a cousin of Charles Clowes, who killed himself and mistress in a Chicago bagnio a week ago. Clowes's body was brought here for interment. Young Cox seemed to have been deeply affected by the tragedy in which his cousin figured. Yesterday he went into a hardware store and asked to be shown some revolvers. The proprietor felt that something was wrong, and declined to exhibit the weapons. Cox afterward entered another hardware store. He was shown several revolvers. He selected one, and cartridges to fit were handed out. These he deliberately adjusted in the chamber. "Gentlemen," he said, turning to the five or six men in the store, "I wish to say good-bye and--" the frightened spectators advanced to prevent the suicide. "Stand back," he exclaimed, brandishing the weapon. "I don't want to die a murderer, but you mustn't attempt to interfere," The men retreated. Placing the pistol against his forehead, he added: "Say good-bye to all my friends," and pulled the trigger. Those were the last words he uttered. The bullet entered his brain and death ensued almost instantly. Cox leaves a mother and a young brother who were dependent upon him for support. Additional Comments: Perl Cox, 1856-1886 is buried at Oak Ridge, Section 3, lot 6 along with his mother Maria L. (Fulton) Cox, 1883-1886 "mother". Also found Harry Cox 1891-1905, "son of Tom and Anna" (Reamer per death record of Harry) in same location. Thomas 1865-1919 and Violet 1860-1934 are in A, 194. --------------------- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/berrien/obits/c/cox3276nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb