Person:William Barron (32)

_FSFTID: 27GN-FZP

_FSLINK: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/27GN-FZP

Tradition concerning the death of William Barron, revealed to me by Andrew Costello; Andrew's grandfather, William, was employed as an insurance adjuster. In 1898, this type of work required carrying a lot of cash when making an insurance settlement. William was on a business trip traveling by train and carrying quite a large sum of money. The money was carried in a briefcase. As a security measure, the briefcase was handcuffed to him. While in the sleeping car, he was accosted by a man whose intention was to rob him. There was a struggle between the men, and the gun was fired and killed William. The robber ran off without any money.

(Research):Andrew told me the story of his grandfather's death. I went to Boston to obtain a death certificate. There were two William Barron who died in 1898; one killed due to a gun shot wound, but the death certificate said it was self-inflicted. I went to the Boston Public Library to look for a newspaper account. I found two different accounts. Later, in the Nashua Telegraph, I found an obituary as well. All accounts given attributed his death to suicide. The thing I find unusual about this is that he was buried in the Catholic cemetery and had a High Requiem Funeral mass said on his behalf. I was under the impression that suicide victims were not allowed on hallowed ground. His brother, Andrew, a Catholic priest, presided at his funeral.

(Medical):Evidently, William suffered from stress and / or depression as he had letters on his person from a doctor advising him to take an ocean voyage for medical purposes.

1. ↑ State of New Hampshire. Death record of Mary B. Costello. (Nashua, New Hampshire. 1959.).

   Quality: 4 Verified: YES

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} State of Vermont. Vital records from 1870 to 1908. (Original cards submitted by the towns to the state.)
   Birth record of Mary Agnes Barron.

   Verified: YES

   photocopy of record

3. ↑ State of Vermont. Birth record of William Barron. (Burlington, Vermont. 1858. (page 178)).

   Quality: 4 Verified: YES

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Massachusetts, United States. Massachusetts Death Records, 1841-1915. (FamilySearch)
   death certificate E001022 (1984), William E. Barron, 15 Mar 2009.

   Original Entry: Year 1898, vol. 481, p. 788, No. 508 _TEXT: YES

5. ↑ Massachusetts. Springfield.  \i The Springfield Republican\i0
   "KILLED HIMSELF ON THE TRAIN, W. E. Barron of Roxbury Commits Suicide in a Boston and Albany Sleeper," 6/15/1898, p. 8, col. 1., 15 Mar 2009.

   William E. Barron of Roxbury committed suicide early yesterday morning by shooting himself through the head while lying in his berth in the Wagner sleeping car attached to the east-bound Boston and Albany express train due in this city at 4:45 a. m. The fatal shot was fired while the train was between Chester and Huntington, but Barron was not instantly killed and continued in an unconscious state until death resulted just after the train left Westfield. Conductor Henry Wilson went to the man soon after the shot was fired and found the revolver clutched in his hand so tightly that it caused some effort to get it away. He was made as comfortable as possible and a physician secured at Huntington, but it was evident that the wound was a fatal one. On arrival at the union station the body was taken in the ambulance to Washburn's undertaking rooms. Medical Examiner Breck viewed the body and found that the bullet had entered the right side of the head about two inches above the ear, and had passed clear through the brain. From letters found in his pockets it was learned that Barron had been a sufferer from some mental disorder and had been advised by physicians to go away from home, a sea voyage being especially recommended, so he probably took his own life when temporarily insane. He took the train at Syracuse and was on his way back to Boston, apparently being on his way home after a brief trip through New York state, letters being found from his wife dated at Roxbury and addressed to him at Troy and other cities. Medical Examiner Breck telegraphed to Mrs Barron yesterday morning as to what disposition should be made of the body.
   Mrs Barron arrived in this city at 9:15 last evening and is now staying with friends. She will take the body of her husband to Boston today, leaving here at 9:40 this morning. The burial will be in that city.

6. ↑ Massachusetts. Boston.  \i The Boston Globe\i0
   "ROXBURY MAN'S SUICIDE, William E. Barron Puts a Bullet in His Head In the Train After Leaving Syracuse and Soon Dies," 6/15/1898, p. 7., 15 Mar 2009.

   SPRINGFIELD, June 14 - William E. Barron of Roxbury committed suicide this morning on the eastbound express due in this city at 4:45, and while the train was between Chester and Huntington. the body was brought to this city, where it was viewed by medical examiner Beck.
   Barron had about $500 in money and from letters which he carried Dr Beck is of the opinion that despondency was the cause of the suicide. One letter from his wife, dated June 10, postmarked Roxbury station, and addressed to William E. Barron, 382 Third st, Troy, N Y, advised him to be of good cheer and to take good care of himself. Other letters indicated that his doctor had advised him to go on a long voyage.
   Barron boarded the train at Syracuse last night and retired at 10 o'clock. About 4 this morning the report of a revolver was heard and the porter found Barron in a critical condition with a wound in the head. A physician was taken on board at Huntington, but Barron died soon after Westfield was reached.

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 New Hampshire. Nashua.  \i Nashua Daily Press\i0
   "SHOT HIMSELF, Funeral at the Church of Immaculate Conception in This City This Morning," 6/16/1898, p. 1, col. 2., 15 Mar 2009.

   William E. Barron of Cambridgeport, who committed suicide yesterday morning on the eastbound express between New York and Boston, has often visited this city where he had relations. He had $500 in money with him at the time. Barron boarded the train at Syracruse Tuesday night and retired at 10 o'clock. About 4 o'clock yesterday morning, the report of a revolber was heard and the porter found Barron in a critical condition with a would in the head. A physician was taken on board at Huntington, but Barron died soon after Westfield was reached.
   The body of the unfortunate man was brought to this city last night and taken to the residence of his wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien, who keeps a boarding house near the factory of the Nashua Boot and Shoe company. The funeral took place this moring from the Church of Immaculate Conception, requium high mass being celebrated by Rev. A. J. Barron of Burlinton, Vt., brother of the deceased. T.W. Keeley was conducer and undertaker, and there was a numerous attendance, of people from Boston, Interment took place at the Catholic cemetery in Hudson, the bearers being James Riley of Melrose, Chas. Granfield of St. Albans, Vt., John Fitzgerald of Troy, N.Y., Stephen Fuller, James Joyce and James Keely of this city, Mrs. Barron and daughter will make this place their future home.

8. ↑ New Hampshire. Manchester.  \i Manchester Daily Union\i0
   "Suicide on a Train, William E. Barron of Roxbury Shot Himself," 6/15/1898, p. 5., 15 Mar 2009.

   Suicide on a Train
   William E. Barron of Roxbury Shot Himself
   SPRINGFIELD, Mass., June 14. - William E. Barron, aged about 50, of the Roxbury District of Boston, shot himself on the train arriving here at 4:45 this morning and died after a short time. The cause was probably despondency, produced by nervous prostration.
   Barron boareded the train at Syracuse, taking an upper berth in the sleeper. Between Chester and Huntington, the porter heard a pistol shot and investigating found Barron had shot himself just back of the right ear. When the train reached Huntington, it was stopped and a doctor taken aboard, but the man died soon after reaching Westfield.
   In his pockets were letters, one from his wife in which she told him to be in good cheer and to take care of himself.

9. ↑ Vermont, Chittenden. 1860 U.S. census, \i Heritage Quest Census Records\i0, Digital images (1). (http://persi.heritagequestonline.com: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.)
   M653, roll 1319, Burlington, p. 42, dwelling 171, family 171, Patrick Barron, accessed 01 Mar 2009, 1 Mar 2009.

   Patrick Barron, 40, m, farm laborer, 200, 51, Ireland
   Julia, 30, f, Ireland, cannot read or write
   Mary, 8, f, Vt
   John, 7, m, Vt
   Andrew, 5, m, VT
   Ellen, 3, f, Vt
   William, 1, m, Vt

10. ↑ Vermont, Chittenden. 1870 U.S. census, \i Heritage Quest Census Records\i0, Digital images (2). (http://persi.heritagequestonline.com: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.)
    M593, roll 1618, South Burlington, p. 674, dwelling 12, family 12, Patrick Barron, accessed 01 Mar 2009, 1 Mar 2009.

    Barron, Patrick, 51, m, w, farmer, 0, 300, Ireland
    Julia, 40, f, w, keeping house, Ireland
    Mary, 18, f, w, at home, VT
    John, 16, m, w, at home, VT
    Andrew, 14, m, w, at home, VT
    Ellen, 12, f, w, at home, VT
    William, 10, m, w, at home, VT
    Patrick, 8, m, w, at home, VT
    Johanna, 4, f, w, at home, VT

11. ↑ Vermont, Chittenden. 1880 U.S. census, \i Heritage Quest Census Records\i0, Digital images (1). (http://persi.heritagequestonline.com: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.)
    T9, roll 1343, South Burlington, enumeration district (ED) 82, p. 313, dwelling 42, family 42, Julia Barron, accessed 25 Feb 2009, 25 Feb 2009.
12. ↑ Massachusetts. Boston.  \i The Boston Globe\i0
    "ROXBURY MAN'S SUICIDE, William E. Barron Puts a Bullet in His Head In the Train After Leaving Syracuse and Soon Dies," 6/15/1898, p. 7., 15 Mar 2009.
13. ↑ Works in lumberyard
14. ↑ Julia is listed as a widow on this census.