Amos Suicide of 1922

The following transcription of a clipping from the Scott County Journal was provided by Cory Walker.  The death occurred on August 3, 1922.  Mr. Amos was buried at Lexington Cemetery.

A Suicide in the "Bee Hive"
W. E. Amos a Suicide.

Coroner Dr. J. F. Wilson was called to Lexington late Thursday afternoon by a telephone message notifying him that Wilber E. Amos had committed suicide and to come at once.

Dr. Wilson immediately went to Lexington and found that Amos had shot himself in the head, and he had died immediately.  He had said to his father, Joseph Amos, that he wanted to go up to the "Bee Hive", that being the name of the building, formerly the old Myers Hotel, on the East side of the public square, where Amos formerly kept a store and soft drink stand.  He was passed by Jesse Storen and C. A. Toombs, and a revolver was seen in his hip pocket.  Soon after, he was seen to enter the store room, (long been vacant), the shot was heard, and he was found dead.

His wife sued him for divorce last fall and he went insane over it, and was committed to Craigmont, but had been released several months ago, and made his home with his father.  He left a letter to Coroner Wilson, and also several letters to others.   In the letter to the Coroner he said, "There has not been any excitement here for some time, and I guess it is about time to have some," and several other witty sayings, said in a joking way.  He leaves a widow and two sons, both grown, fine young men of which he was very proud.  He was insanely jealous of his wife, which finally led to the separation.

Lexington Cemetery Record

AMOS, Wilbert E. 1877-8/3/1922
Ella (Dickey) Married: 9/29/1900
His Parents: Joseph & Mary Jane (Markley) Amos
Ella, stepdaughter of Wm. Dickey

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