The Wheeling Register, 23 Nov 1882
A Sad Suicide
A Young Man Who Died for Love
Newton, Ashton, Preferring Death to Life Without His Sweetheart, Blows Out His Brains With a Revolver
Martins Ferry and the country surrounding were startled, yesterday morning, by a sad suicide, enveloped by the most gloomy, yet romantic circumstances. It was the case of a young man, who, preferring the voiceless gloom of death, to a long life without the lady of his love, deliberately blew out his brains. The victim was Newton Ashton, aged 28 years, the son of Isaac Ashton, a prosperous farmer living on the old Iron Ore farm, two miles west of Martin's Ferry. He was a bright and companionable young man with many friends and no enemies and yet of a jealous disposition, with a great capacity for loving. For some time past he has been engaged to Miss Mary Catherine Powell, an attractive young lady, residing in the neighborhood of his home. And, like Elaine, he loved with a jove that was his death.
On Tuesday evening a party was given at Woods, on Glenn's Run, to which Ashton escorted Miss Powell. They left the party about 1:30 o'clock, the lady riding behind Ashton on his horse. They arrived at her home at 2 o'clock and he remained until 3, and in that hour occurred what induced him to end an existence grown miserable to him.
They were to have been married on Thanksgiving day and she wore upon her finger a plain gold engagement ring, engraved "I.N.A. to M.C.P." When they reached home on Tuesday night she told him the wedding would have to be postponed as she could not get ready by that time, and returned him his ring. She said she did not mean to break off the engagement, but only to postpone the wedding, but he evidently accepted it as a "conge." Filled with her words, as he thought breaking the engagement and breaking his heart at the same time, he left her and almost within call of her home and where his dying groan might have almost reached her ear, he drew a revolver and blew out his brains.
His family were startled, yesterday morning, by not finding him at home, and a search was at once instituted. At 8:30 o'clock his father found him lying in a little strip of woods, about a quarter of a mile from home. Though the place is by a path much frequented the body was not sooner discovered, the horse with the empty saddle conveying the first sad tidings. The unfortunate young man was found lying on his left side with his left hand and arm under him and his right hand stretched out near the fallen revolver. In his right temple was the gaping wound made by the ball, which passed through the brain and lodged in the scalp, two inches behind the left ear. He was tenderly taken up and conveyed home, where Drs. Williams, Hervey, Blackford and Weirich examined him.
Coroner Thos. Garrett, of Bellaire, was called and an inquest duly held. The following witnesses were examined: Isaac Ashton, Mary C. Powell, Martha Powell, John Powell, Charles Ashton, Thomas Mitchell, John A. Mitchell, Wm. Cline, J. D. Tweed, James Duff, Elizabeth Duff and the examining surgeons.
The principal witness was Miss Powell, the fiancee of the victim, who gave told above. She only gave him the ring to wear for a time, she said, and had no intention of breaking the engagement. She stated that he had threatened to take his life unless she consented to become his wife, and the sifficulty [sic] was bridged by the engagement. The arrangement was that they were to marry and live with his parents this winter. He had shown her the revolver on Tuesday night, but had made no threats against his life.
Charles Ashton, cousin of the deceased, who lived with him, testified to giving the revolver to Newton, on Sunday. Newton had asked for and received it. The witness identified the revolver, as also did Miss Powell.
These were the material facts developed in the case. Testimony taken showed Newton Ashton to have been a sober and industrious young man, well respected and very generally liked. He never showed any indications of insanity and was considered of perfectly sound mind.
The affair produced a profound sensation, yesterday, throughout the entire neighborhood. The family of the unfortunate young man have the sympathy of all who know them, in their sadness. The young lady, Miss Powell, who played so prominent and sad a part in the tragedy, is a general favorite and comes in for a large share of the sympathy. She is the daughter of William and Matilda Powell, who live on the ridge, near by. Altogether the suicide is one of those heartbreaking affairs, in all of its surroundings and cannot but win the sympathy of all who learn of it.
A Sad Suicide
A Young Man Who Died for Love
Newton, Ashton, Preferring Death to Life Without His Sweetheart, Blows Out His Brains With a Revolver
Martins Ferry and the country surrounding were startled, yesterday morning, by a sad suicide, enveloped by the most gloomy, yet romantic circumstances. It was the case of a young man, who, preferring the voiceless gloom of death, to a long life without the lady of his love, deliberately blew out his brains. The victim was Newton Ashton, aged 28 years, the son of Isaac Ashton, a prosperous farmer living on the old Iron Ore farm, two miles west of Martin's Ferry. He was a bright and companionable young man with many friends and no enemies and yet of a jealous disposition, with a great capacity for loving. For some time past he has been engaged to Miss Mary Catherine Powell, an attractive young lady, residing in the neighborhood of his home. And, like Elaine, he loved with a jove that was his death.
On Tuesday evening a party was given at Woods, on Glenn's Run, to which Ashton escorted Miss Powell. They left the party about 1:30 o'clock, the lady riding behind Ashton on his horse. They arrived at her home at 2 o'clock and he remained until 3, and in that hour occurred what induced him to end an existence grown miserable to him.
They were to have been married on Thanksgiving day and she wore upon her finger a plain gold engagement ring, engraved "I.N.A. to M.C.P." When they reached home on Tuesday night she told him the wedding would have to be postponed as she could not get ready by that time, and returned him his ring. She said she did not mean to break off the engagement, but only to postpone the wedding, but he evidently accepted it as a "conge." Filled with her words, as he thought breaking the engagement and breaking his heart at the same time, he left her and almost within call of her home and where his dying groan might have almost reached her ear, he drew a revolver and blew out his brains.
His family were startled, yesterday morning, by not finding him at home, and a search was at once instituted. At 8:30 o'clock his father found him lying in a little strip of woods, about a quarter of a mile from home. Though the place is by a path much frequented the body was not sooner discovered, the horse with the empty saddle conveying the first sad tidings. The unfortunate young man was found lying on his left side with his left hand and arm under him and his right hand stretched out near the fallen revolver. In his right temple was the gaping wound made by the ball, which passed through the brain and lodged in the scalp, two inches behind the left ear. He was tenderly taken up and conveyed home, where Drs. Williams, Hervey, Blackford and Weirich examined him.
Coroner Thos. Garrett, of Bellaire, was called and an inquest duly held. The following witnesses were examined: Isaac Ashton, Mary C. Powell, Martha Powell, John Powell, Charles Ashton, Thomas Mitchell, John A. Mitchell, Wm. Cline, J. D. Tweed, James Duff, Elizabeth Duff and the examining surgeons.
The principal witness was Miss Powell, the fiancee of the victim, who gave told above. She only gave him the ring to wear for a time, she said, and had no intention of breaking the engagement. She stated that he had threatened to take his life unless she consented to become his wife, and the sifficulty [sic] was bridged by the engagement. The arrangement was that they were to marry and live with his parents this winter. He had shown her the revolver on Tuesday night, but had made no threats against his life.
Charles Ashton, cousin of the deceased, who lived with him, testified to giving the revolver to Newton, on Sunday. Newton had asked for and received it. The witness identified the revolver, as also did Miss Powell.
These were the material facts developed in the case. Testimony taken showed Newton Ashton to have been a sober and industrious young man, well respected and very generally liked. He never showed any indications of insanity and was considered of perfectly sound mind.
The affair produced a profound sensation, yesterday, throughout the entire neighborhood. The family of the unfortunate young man have the sympathy of all who know them, in their sadness. The young lady, Miss Powell, who played so prominent and sad a part in the tragedy, is a general favorite and comes in for a large share of the sympathy. She is the daughter of William and Matilda Powell, who live on the ridge, near by. Altogether the suicide is one of those heartbreaking affairs, in all of its surroundings and cannot but win the sympathy of all who learn of it.
The Wheeling Register, 23 Nov 1882
A Sad Suicide
A Young Man Who Died for Love
Newton, Ashton, Preferring Death to Life Without His Sweetheart, Blows Out His Brains With a Revolver
Martins Ferry and the country surrounding were startled, yesterday morning, by a sad suicide, enveloped by the most gloomy, yet romantic circumstances. It was the case of a young man, who, preferring the voiceless gloom of death, to a long life without the lady of his love, deliberately blew out his brains. The victim was Newton Ashton, aged 28 years, the son of Isaac Ashton, a prosperous farmer living on the old Iron Ore farm, two miles west of Martin's Ferry. He was a bright and companionable young man with many friends and no enemies and yet of a jealous disposition, with a great capacity for loving. For some time past he has been engaged to Miss Mary Catherine Powell, an attractive young lady, residing in the neighborhood of his home. And, like Elaine, he loved with a jove that was his death.
On Tuesday evening a party was given at Woods, on Glenn's Run, to which Ashton escorted Miss Powell. They left the party about 1:30 o'clock, the lady riding behind Ashton on his horse. They arrived at her home at 2 o'clock and he remained until 3, and in that hour occurred what induced him to end an existence grown miserable to him.
They were to have been married on Thanksgiving day and she wore upon her finger a plain gold engagement ring, engraved "I.N.A. to M.C.P." When they reached home on Tuesday night she told him the wedding would have to be postponed as she could not get ready by that time, and returned him his ring. She said she did not mean to break off the engagement, but only to postpone the wedding, but he evidently accepted it as a "conge." Filled with her words, as he thought breaking the engagement and breaking his heart at the same time, he left her and almost within call of her home and where his dying groan might have almost reached her ear, he drew a revolver and blew out his brains.
His family were startled, yesterday morning, by not finding him at home, and a search was at once instituted. At 8:30 o'clock his father found him lying in a little strip of woods, about a quarter of a mile from home. Though the place is by a path much frequented the body was not sooner discovered, the horse with the empty saddle conveying the first sad tidings. The unfortunate young man was found lying on his left side with his left hand and arm under him and his right hand stretched out near the fallen revolver. In his right temple was the gaping wound made by the ball, which passed through the brain and lodged in the scalp, two inches behind the left ear. He was tenderly taken up and conveyed home, where Drs. Williams, Hervey, Blackford and Weirich examined him.
Coroner Thos. Garrett, of Bellaire, was called and an inquest duly held. The following witnesses were examined: Isaac Ashton, Mary C. Powell, Martha Powell, John Powell, Charles Ashton, Thomas Mitchell, John A. Mitchell, Wm. Cline, J. D. Tweed, James Duff, Elizabeth Duff and the examining surgeons.
The principal witness was Miss Powell, the fiancee of the victim, who gave told above. She only gave him the ring to wear for a time, she said, and had no intention of breaking the engagement. She stated that he had threatened to take his life unless she consented to become his wife, and the sifficulty [sic] was bridged by the engagement. The arrangement was that they were to marry and live with his parents this winter. He had shown her the revolver on Tuesday night, but had made no threats against his life.
Charles Ashton, cousin of the deceased, who lived with him, testified to giving the revolver to Newton, on Sunday. Newton had asked for and received it. The witness identified the revolver, as also did Miss Powell.
These were the material facts developed in the case. Testimony taken showed Newton Ashton to have been a sober and industrious young man, well respected and very generally liked. He never showed any indications of insanity and was considered of perfectly sound mind.
The affair produced a profound sensation, yesterday, throughout the entire neighborhood. The family of the unfortunate young man have the sympathy of all who know them, in their sadness. The young lady, Miss Powell, who played so prominent and sad a part in the tragedy, is a general favorite and comes in for a large share of the sympathy. She is the daughter of William and Matilda Powell, who live on the ridge, near by. Altogether the suicide is one of those heartbreaking affairs, in all of its surroundings and cannot but win the sympathy of all who learn of it.
A Sad Suicide
A Young Man Who Died for Love
Newton, Ashton, Preferring Death to Life Without His Sweetheart, Blows Out His Brains With a Revolver
Martins Ferry and the country surrounding were startled, yesterday morning, by a sad suicide, enveloped by the most gloomy, yet romantic circumstances. It was the case of a young man, who, preferring the voiceless gloom of death, to a long life without the lady of his love, deliberately blew out his brains. The victim was Newton Ashton, aged 28 years, the son of Isaac Ashton, a prosperous farmer living on the old Iron Ore farm, two miles west of Martin's Ferry. He was a bright and companionable young man with many friends and no enemies and yet of a jealous disposition, with a great capacity for loving. For some time past he has been engaged to Miss Mary Catherine Powell, an attractive young lady, residing in the neighborhood of his home. And, like Elaine, he loved with a jove that was his death.
On Tuesday evening a party was given at Woods, on Glenn's Run, to which Ashton escorted Miss Powell. They left the party about 1:30 o'clock, the lady riding behind Ashton on his horse. They arrived at her home at 2 o'clock and he remained until 3, and in that hour occurred what induced him to end an existence grown miserable to him.
They were to have been married on Thanksgiving day and she wore upon her finger a plain gold engagement ring, engraved "I.N.A. to M.C.P." When they reached home on Tuesday night she told him the wedding would have to be postponed as she could not get ready by that time, and returned him his ring. She said she did not mean to break off the engagement, but only to postpone the wedding, but he evidently accepted it as a "conge." Filled with her words, as he thought breaking the engagement and breaking his heart at the same time, he left her and almost within call of her home and where his dying groan might have almost reached her ear, he drew a revolver and blew out his brains.
His family were startled, yesterday morning, by not finding him at home, and a search was at once instituted. At 8:30 o'clock his father found him lying in a little strip of woods, about a quarter of a mile from home. Though the place is by a path much frequented the body was not sooner discovered, the horse with the empty saddle conveying the first sad tidings. The unfortunate young man was found lying on his left side with his left hand and arm under him and his right hand stretched out near the fallen revolver. In his right temple was the gaping wound made by the ball, which passed through the brain and lodged in the scalp, two inches behind the left ear. He was tenderly taken up and conveyed home, where Drs. Williams, Hervey, Blackford and Weirich examined him.
Coroner Thos. Garrett, of Bellaire, was called and an inquest duly held. The following witnesses were examined: Isaac Ashton, Mary C. Powell, Martha Powell, John Powell, Charles Ashton, Thomas Mitchell, John A. Mitchell, Wm. Cline, J. D. Tweed, James Duff, Elizabeth Duff and the examining surgeons.
The principal witness was Miss Powell, the fiancee of the victim, who gave told above. She only gave him the ring to wear for a time, she said, and had no intention of breaking the engagement. She stated that he had threatened to take his life unless she consented to become his wife, and the sifficulty [sic] was bridged by the engagement. The arrangement was that they were to marry and live with his parents this winter. He had shown her the revolver on Tuesday night, but had made no threats against his life.
Charles Ashton, cousin of the deceased, who lived with him, testified to giving the revolver to Newton, on Sunday. Newton had asked for and received it. The witness identified the revolver, as also did Miss Powell.
These were the material facts developed in the case. Testimony taken showed Newton Ashton to have been a sober and industrious young man, well respected and very generally liked. He never showed any indications of insanity and was considered of perfectly sound mind.
The affair produced a profound sensation, yesterday, throughout the entire neighborhood. The family of the unfortunate young man have the sympathy of all who know them, in their sadness. The young lady, Miss Powell, who played so prominent and sad a part in the tragedy, is a general favorite and comes in for a large share of the sympathy. She is the daughter of William and Matilda Powell, who live on the ridge, near by. Altogether the suicide is one of those heartbreaking affairs, in all of its surroundings and cannot but win the sympathy of all who learn of it.
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