Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Walter French, 1925
02 Feb 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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FRENCH, WALTER
(24 Dec 1925, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The Strong City Herald last week carried the following account of the
suicide of Walter French, ex-service man last Wednesday.
Walter French, who served in the World War took his own life last
Wednesday shortly after eating the noon day meal by shooting himself in
the forehead with a 38 calibre revolver, at his home about eight miles
north of Strong City on the Simmons farm.
French had picked cotton in the forenoon and had just finished eating the
noon meal when he went into another room of the house and fired two shots,
one penetrating the wall high up near the ceiling, the other going through
the ceiling.  The report of the gun startled Mrs. French who ran into the
room where her husband was just in time to see him turn the revolver on
himself and fire the shot that sent a bullet crashing through his brain
that caused his death about eight o'clock Wednesday evening.  He never
spoke neither did he regain consciousness after the tragedy.
French was an ex-service man having been gassed and shell shocked while
overseas which naturally produced had effect on him, mentally.  Lately he
had shown signs of not being right, but which did not cause any alarm.  It
is said that at different times, he had made remarks to his neighbors,
such as, "If I have done anything to offend you, I am sorry for it." and
he told his wife on two or three occasions recently, that he wanted her to
taken good care of the children.  These remarks did not cause any alarm at
the time, but since his rash act, it is thought he had intended for some
time to put an end to his life.  He was a young man about 28 years of age,
was married and had two children.
It is impossible to determine what was the cause of his rash act, as
financial reverse can not be chargeable as he was not in debt and was
getting along nicely, while he did not have much of this worlds goods, he
was free from indebtedness.  No domestic trouble was evidenced at the
inquest, in fact no reason could be found for the act other than possibly
that he was temporarily insane.
Mr. McFarland, the grandfather of Mrs. French, and two neighbor boys were
within a short distance of the house at the time of the tragedy.  They
were coming to the French home to see about securing a pair of saddle
stirrups when they head the report of the gun.  Just before they reached
the house, Mrs. French ran out of the house screaming.  They then went
into the house and found French with a bullet hole in his forehead.  Dr.
Ballenger of Strong City was summoned and others accompanied him, Sheriff
Lester was notified.  He in company with other officers went to the French
home and made an investigation.  Thursday morning they returned and
summoned a Coroners jury with Judge Leach of Cheyenne as coroner. 
Evidence was taken and at the close of the inquest it was the unanimous
decision of the jury that Walter French came to his death as a result of a
gun shot wound inflicted by his own hands with suicide intent.

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