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Acton Memorial Library |
Civil War Records of Winthrop H. Faulkner
Obituary for Winthrop H. Faulkner
Somerville Journal, March 14, 1885
By His Own Hand
Winthrop Harrison Faulkner, residing on Claremont street, West Somerville, committed suicide early Tuesday morning, in the loft above his store, on North avenue, by shooting himself in the region of the heart. He left home Monday afternoon at 1.30 o'clock, and was observed on the train going to Boston by a neighbor, when he appeared to be chatting with an acquaintance in his usual manner. As he failed to return night, the family became alarmed about him, and as they also missed him from the store one of the employes sent to the house the following morning to know if he was ill. Mrs. Faulkner replied that she knew nothing of his whereabouts, and was herself anxious, and soon after went down to the store, but learning nothing satisfactory, returned to the house. Very soon after she left the store the young man employed there went up-stairs to the loft that was used as a storeroom to get some goods, and was horrified to find the dead body of Mr. Faulkner upon a lounge, his left hand still pressed above his heart. Medical Examiner Holt viewed the remains, and later in the day they were removed to his home.
Mr. Faulkner was born in South Acton, Jan. 14th, 1841, and was a son of the late Col. Winthrop B. Faulkner, of that place, being at the time of his death the last survivor of four sons, one of whom, having just entered Harvard, was killed by the cars at Porter station, March 16th, 1861. Deceased resided in South Acton during his early life, and going to Pike's Peak about the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion served during the war in the 7th Kansas Cavalry. He removed with his family in 1878 from South Acton to their present home. For some years past he has been in poor health, and has at times suffered acutely, having had within the past year two severe attacks, during which he was insane. Of late he has been very much depressed, his wife and daughter having noticed a great change in his manner within a week, which became more and more marked. Without doubt he took his own life while laboring under an aberration of mind, caused by ill health and great physical suffering. He leaves a widow and one daughter, who have the deepest sympathy of all in their affliction. The funeral took place from the Third Universalist Chapel Thursday morning, Rev. C. A. Skinner officiating. Among the floral tributes were a crescent and star, on stand, from the Third Universalist Society, and a star, on stand, from neighbors. The remains were taken to South Acton, where services were held at the homestead.
Cambridge Chronicle, March 14, 1885
C.A. [sic] Faulkner, doing business at No. 321 North avenue and living in Somerville, committed suicide Tuesday by shooting himself in the head with a 32-calibre revolver, the deed being committed in the loft over the store. No cause is assigned for the act. The deceased was 45 years of age and leaves a family.
Concord Enterprise, March 20, 1885
Rev. I.C. Knowlton attended the funeral of Harry W. Faulkner at South Acton Thursday of last week, hence his absence from the Middlesex N.W. Temp. Union at Littleton.
Medical Examiner's Report
Massachusetts State Archives
Mar. 10, 1885, 10 a.m. Cambridge. W. H. Faulkner. Suicide by pistol shot wound of abdomen. Body found in attic of his store with a pistol lying beside him. Last seen of him was the afternoon before when he went to Boston. He had been intemperate and despondent for some time. One chamber of the pistol was empty and his clothing was slightly scorched about the bullet hole. The bullet 22 cal. probably the liver, and death resulted from hemorrhage and exposure, the night being excessively cold.