Blose Family

Daily Standard
Tuesday
28 February 1899

TIRED OF LIFE

DAVID BLOSE SENDS A BULLET THROUGH
HIS BRAIN ON SUNDAY

A Deed Committed at the Home of His
Son-in-Law, in East Butler--Blose Said
to Have Been Slightly Demented.

David Blose, a former resident of this city, ended his existence on Sunday at noon by shooting himself through the brain. The unfortunate man who met death by his own hand resided with his son-in-law, Nelson Cawley, in East Butler township. On Sunday morning he arose as usual, and ate breakfast with the family, and although slightly demented, gave no signs unwell, nor was there any reason to believe that he would take his own life.

After breakfast, which was almost eight o'clock, he retired to his room and nothing more was heard or seen of him until the noon hour. When dinner was ready his son-in-law called him several times, but receiving no reply he hastened to his room to ascertain what was wrong. When he opened the door the ghastly sight of the lifeless remains of his father-in-law lying on the floor dead, met his gaze. A large 32-calibre revolver with one chamber empty told the story. An examination was made and it
was found that the ball entered the head just back of the right ear, causing instant death. That the suicide was deliberately planned is evident from the fact that he placed the revolver so close to his head as to burn the flesh and to make sure that the bullet would accomplish the purpose for which it was intended.
Squire Snyder was promptly notified, and appeared on the scene some time later. A jury was empaneled and after taking the evidence of the members of the household returned a verdict of suicide.

Deceased was for many years a resident of this city. He followed the occupation of teamster, and for twenty-one years followed the occupation of private watchman, and when he retired he had amassed a comfortable fortune.

When he retired from his occupation as watchman, Frank Slattery succeeded him. Nine years ago he removed from this city to the Valley, where he has resided ever since, doing odd chores about the farm. He was of jovial nature, and even though he was slightly demented his relatives were unable to account for his
rash act. He was 78 years of age.

The funeral will take place on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock. Services will be conducted at the house by Rev. Hemsath. Interment in St. John's cemetery.

(In discussing this incident with Walter Throne, he said that it was his grandmother that actually found David Blose. She was only four years old at the time and was playing when she heard a pop. She followed the noise and opened the door to his room. She said that she never forgot that scene as it was so horrible.)
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Daily Standard
Friday
3 March 1889

Funeral of David Blose

The remains of the late David Blose, who committed suicide last Sunday, were interred in the Reformed church burial ground at St. John's yesterday. Rev. Hemsath conducted the services which
were largely attended, many being present from this city, and all over the valley.
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Plain Speaker
Tuesday
30 September 1890

--
David Blose, who fro fifteen years past has been a night watchman about town for several merchants, resigned his position
last night. He was a good, faithful servant.
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Semi-Weekly Standard
Saturday
14 June 1890

A Bit of History

Night Watchman David Blose, who is probably the oldest engineer in this town, relates a scrap of history. The hail storm
of Wednesday was pronounced by many of our old residents as the most severe ever witnessed here. Mr. Blose, however, claims
that only once since his time was the hail more severe, and that forty years ago. He was at that time an engineer on this section
of the Lehigh Valley road. One day during the summer he was backing a train of empty cars to Hazleton Mines breaker, when a
storm set in and hail fell very thick and fast, freezing on the rail and for a time blockading the track until the icy missiles
melted.
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This article was donated by Gabbies1@aol.com

Mary Ann Lubinsky
County Coordinator

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