Friday, August 8, 2008

A LOVER SHOOTS HIMSELF.

New York, 1895

His Sweetheart's Parents Were Opposed to His Suit.

Jerome Gaynor, aged 19 years, of Woodhaven, committed suicide Wednesday evening by shooting himself in the head. For some time past Gaynor has been keeping company with Miss Daisy Hempstead, aged 17 years, who resides with her parents on Napier avenue, Woodhaven. Wednesday evening, shortly after 7 o'clock, as Miss Hempstead was on her way home from the postoffice Gaynor met her on the corner of Atlantic avenue and Vanderveer place, and the two walked along together until they were opposite the residence of Town Clerk McCook.

Here Gaynor showed her a note telling him to go to work in the factory Thursday morning. She asked him if he was going to work, to which he replied tragically that he would never leave the spot where he was standing until he was carried away dead, and drawing a pistol from his pocket, he fired a bullet into his head. The shot killed him instantly.

No cause is known for the rash act. It is believed to have been a love affair, as the girl's parents did not approve of their marriage. Gaynor resided with his parents on the Old Mill road.

Coroner Nutt will hold an inquest Wednesday evening next.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 14, 1895, p. 1.

Note: Post office was usually spelled as one word back then.

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