OBIT: William Lester AMMON, 1909, York, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
_______________________________________________

DISTRICT ATTORNEY AMMON, OF YORK COUNTY

Found Dead in His Barn – Faces Serious Charges – Every Indication of Suicide

William Lester Ammon, District Attorney of York county, was found dead in the 
loft of his stable on Wednesday morning of last week.  He was born in Lancaster 
county.  His parents moved to York county when he was three weeks old.  After 
attending the schools of that county and the York County Academy, he came to 
Gettysburg College and graduated in the class of 1893.  He was an active figure 
in college life while here.  After reading law in office of Geis, Ziegler and 
Strawbridge, he was admitted to the Bar of York county in 1894.  A few years ago 
he became active in politics in his county and last fall was elected District 
Attorney of York county, carrying a salary of $4000.

The manner of his death is mysterious, though believed to have been a suicide by 
poisoning.  He had been secretary of the Standard Building and Loan Association 
of York for 15 years and when compelled to resign his accounts were found to be 
short.  An expert was engaged with the accounts last week and officers of the 
association had had several interviews with Ammon and gave him to understand on 
last one, Tuesday night, that unless he made good the shortage which had run up 
to over $40,000 he would be prosecuted.  He was given until Wednesday noon to 
make good.

On his way home on Tuesday evening, he bought a pound of deadly poison, cyanide 
of potassium.  What became of the poison has not yet been discovered.  It is 
thought a large quantity was purchased to deceive as to his intentions saying it 
was for experiment with copper.  A small amount was found in an envelope in the 
business suit he had prepared to wear on Wednesday.  On that morning he put on a 
rough suit and went to the barn to attend his horse as was his custom and later 
was found dead in the loft.  The coroner and physicians say he died from weak 
heart, which went to pieces under the strain of work and threatened prosecution 
though many believe it was suicide by poison.

Criminal court was in session in York county with over 100 cases to go to grand 
jury and when death of Ammon was announced on Wednesday morning, the court 
adjourned until afternoon when Harvey A. Gross, the assistant, was appointed 
district attorney and proceeded with the work of the court.

Later in the week a receiver for the Standard Building and Loan Association was 
appointed as the books showed it to be hopelessly wrecked.

It is stated in the York papers that his relations with a York married woman had 
become so notorious that the woman’s husband had threatened a $10,000 damage 
suit for the alienation of his wife’s affections.

In 1897 Mr. Ammon married Miss Nettie M. Reichley of York and known here.  He is 
survived by his wife, a son Bronly and adopted son Lester, two brothers and 
three sisters, all of York.

Gettysburg Compiler – Wednesday, September 1, 1909