Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Charles W. Atwood, 1913 
29 July 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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ATWOOD, CHARLES W.
(3 Apr 1913, Thursday, The Sayre Standard, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
Monday morning about 9 o'clock Postmaster Atwood of Berlin, Roger Mills
county, committed suicide by shooting himself through the breast with a
revolver.  The deed was committed on the front poarch (sic) of his home,
immediately following a conversation with his wife, in which it is said he
was trying to dissuade her from moving out on their farm.  Drs. Stone and
Baker were called by telephone and they immediately departed for the scene
of the tragedy, but death had come before they could arrive at Berlin. 
The bullet entered the left breast and passed through the body.
Mr. Atwood was well known to many people in Sayre and was universally
regarded as one of the best citizens of Roger Mills county.  In connection
with the post office he conducted a general merchandise store and it is
said that his business affairs were in good condition.  Domestic trouble
has been the only reason assigned for the rash act.
(3 Apr 1913, Thursday, Elk City Record, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
BERLIN BUSINESS MAN COMMITS SUICIDE.
A gloom was cast over the little town of Berlin, Monday morning by the
report that Chas. W. Atwood, postmaster, had taken his own life.  He was
known to be cheerful at all times and his tragic death came as a surprise
to his host of friends.
Domestic troubles seem to had led him to the rash act.  On the morning of
his death he went about his duties in the office as usual, but the callers
noticed that he seemed restless, and he kept, looking in the direction of
his home.  Later some wagons were seen going toward his house, he at once
left the office and went home, seeing the empty wagons standing around and
the torn up condition of the furniture, he inquired of his wife what was
she doing.  She is reported to have told that she was going to leave,
presumably moving to the farm.  Mr. Atwood answered that he would end it
all, and stepped out onto the poarch (sic) and fired one shot, it taking
effect just above the heart, ranging downward.  Those who reached him
first tried to arouse him but he spoke audible on to say, "Tell her
good-by," or something to that effect.  He only lived a short time.
The funeral was held Tuesday attended by a large concourse of loving
neighbors and friends.