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Story
July 1, 1908
The Dawson News
Dawson, Terrell County, Georgia
What is this article about?
In Bowerton, John Smith shot himself but lingered to dictate a will leaving everything to his mother. Unable to sign, he smeared blood from his wound on the paper. Witnesses attested, and the court probated it, awarding her $2,000.
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BLOOD GOOD AS SIGNATURE.
Dying Suicide Attached It When He Was Too Weak to Write.
One of the most remarkable wills ever probated was that of John Smith of Bowerton, who committed suicide some time ago.
Smith shot himself through the heart, but lived for half an hour after he had committed the deed. While he was lingering between life and death, but still conscious, he expressed a desire to make a will. It was drawn up according to his dictation and reads as follows:
"I, John Smith, say that all I have got is for mother."
As soon as the brief will had been written Smith began to sink and was unable to attach his signature. An attempt was made to have him make his mark, but he was too weak to even do that. Then, just as the last breath of life was departing from his body, he placed his right hand over the terrible wound in his breast, withdrew it, covered with blood, and, reaching out, laid his hand on the paper on which the will was written. He expired the next instant.
Oliver Cruise, Joseph Perlich, W. Bonesk and Casper Klein, friends who were present and witnessed the act, attached their signatures to the peculiar will as witnesses, and it was probated, so that Smith's mother secured about $2,000.
Dying Suicide Attached It When He Was Too Weak to Write.
One of the most remarkable wills ever probated was that of John Smith of Bowerton, who committed suicide some time ago.
Smith shot himself through the heart, but lived for half an hour after he had committed the deed. While he was lingering between life and death, but still conscious, he expressed a desire to make a will. It was drawn up according to his dictation and reads as follows:
"I, John Smith, say that all I have got is for mother."
As soon as the brief will had been written Smith began to sink and was unable to attach his signature. An attempt was made to have him make his mark, but he was too weak to even do that. Then, just as the last breath of life was departing from his body, he placed his right hand over the terrible wound in his breast, withdrew it, covered with blood, and, reaching out, laid his hand on the paper on which the will was written. He expired the next instant.
Oliver Cruise, Joseph Perlich, W. Bonesk and Casper Klein, friends who were present and witnessed the act, attached their signatures to the peculiar will as witnesses, and it was probated, so that Smith's mother secured about $2,000.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Family
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Suicide Will
Blood Signature
Dying Testament
Probated Will
What entities or persons were involved?
John Smith
Mother
Oliver Cruise
Joseph Perlich
W. Bonesk
Casper Klein
Where did it happen?
Bowerton
Story Details
Key Persons
John Smith
Mother
Oliver Cruise
Joseph Perlich
W. Bonesk
Casper Klein
Location
Bowerton
Event Date
Some Time Ago
Story Details
John Smith shot himself through the heart and, while dying, dictated a will leaving all to his mother. Too weak to sign, he pressed his bloodied hand on the paper. Witnesses signed, and it was probated, securing $2,000 for his mother.