Was Determined to Die

George Lawton Takes Poison and cuts his Throat

Despondent over ill health which his wife had experienced for years, and because of the poor outlook for crops on his farm, George E. Lawton committed suicide Sunday night at his home near Titusville, by taking a quantity of morphine, then some paris green and finally cutting his throat with his pocket knife.

In the presence of his wife and a domestic, Lawton swallowed both poisons and then started for the woods, a short distance from the house, moaning and muttering.

The girl notified the neighbors, who at once started for the woods with the aid of lanterns. Unable to locate the desperate man, word was sent to Deputy A. E. Bonner, of Coopersville, who went, with his bloodhounds, to the farm. The dogs were given the scent from a pair on Lawton’s shoes, which were left in the house and led the searchers directly to the man.

Lawton was found lying on his side with the blood still running from a gaping hole in his throat. He was removed to the house and medical aid summoned, but to no avail and he died from the effects of the poison shortly before midnight. Neighbors say that he threatened to end his life before, and was continually brooding over the illness of his wife.

George L. Lawton was born June 21, 1856, in Wright Township Ottawa County, Michigan, and died September 27, 1908, aged 52 years, 3 months and 3 days. He was married June 21, 1877, to Louisa Woodworth, daughter of J. R. C. Woodworth of Wright Township. He is survived by his wife, and five children, Edward, Garvey, Nettie, Chauncey and Carrie, three of whom are married.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Adventist Church in Wright, where the interment will take place.