G. M. Badger

Free Press Oct. 2, 1914
Quitman, Brooks County, Georgia

G.M. BADGER SHOOTS HIMSELF; GRIEF WAS CAUSED BY ILLNESS

Deeply despondent over the illness of one of his sons, R T Badger, Mr. G.M. Badger took his own life last Monday morning. He came down town about eight o'clock and there was nothing unusual in the manner in which he spoke to his acquaintances, to indicate his intention. He sat down on the curb near the Stuckey electric company store and taking a tablet out of his pocket wrote a note. Transferring his pencil to his left hand he reached in his pocket and took out a revolver and shot himself through the right temple, the action being so quiet no one noticed until the shot rang out.

The pistol fell from his hand but he held the pencil with which he wrote his last message. He died instantly.

The note was a mere memorandum as of one who is going on a short journey, and said: "I have done my best but am done. Faithful wife. Put me away in a cheap box $25 or $30. I feel God's blessing has followed for years. Goodbye Wallace." This last message evidently meant Dr. Wallace Mathews, family physician and friend.

A number of people on the streets witnessed the act and could scarcely credit their vision, and as the news spread the whole town was deeply shocked. Friends conveyed the news to the family and Mrs. Badger and the son, R. T., who is very ill, were so prostrated that it was deemed inadvisable to remove the body to the house and it was taken to the chapel of the McGowan undertaking establishment.

Mr. Badger was about 67 years old and had lived in Quitman since 1875, coming here from Albany as a young man. He married Miss Ida Hurley also of Albany, and the following children survive him: George Badger, of Cincinnati, Harry Badger of Savannah; D.R. Badger, of Atlanta; Mrs Elmo Gates, Micanopi, Fla. Mrs. Idus Taylor, of Cuthbert; R.T. and Miss Rebecca Badger of Quitman. He also has one sister, Mrs. Henry Whipple of Palm Beach, Fla.

Mr. Badger was a man of strong character, faithful alike to his friends and his principles. That despondency over the illness of a favorite son should lead him to end his own life is a matter of deep regret to every one He as for years a member of the Presbyterian church and a Mason and the funeral was conducted Tuesday afternoon by Rev. C.A. Campbell, his pastor. After the usual funeral service of the church the Masons took charge and he was interred with Masonic honors.