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