Byron Gray

Lost Springs Man Takes Life Early Tuesday Morning

Byron Gray, aged resident of the Jireh community, took his life by hanging early Tuesday morning at his home, the lifeless body being discovered by neighbors that morning. Mr. Gray was 82 years, 2 months and 19 days of age at the time of his death.

According to those knowing the man, who had lived alone for some time, he had been in a despondent mood for more than a year and the evening before the tragedy occurred, several of the neighbors visited at his home. A remark he had made to them caused them to become alarmed after they had left for their homes and discussed the statement among themselves. They were not greatly surprised when they found the body the next morning.

County Coroner George Earl Peet was summoned and an inquest resulted in the finding that the man had taken his own life. The body was brought to the Peet undertaking parlors in Lusk and prepared for burial.

Funeral services were held at the Jireh cemetery at 3:00 o'clock this (Thursday) afternoon under the direction of the Peet Mortuary, Rev. Martin of Manville, officiating. Burial took place there. Two selections were sung by a quartet of friends of the aged man, "Going Down the Valley," and "Sometime, Somewhere." The quartet was composed of C. W. Pfeifer, Lavonne Pfeifer, Roy Elders and Ernest Swanson.

Deceased is survived by one son, Claude, who lives at Sumatra, Mont., and one daughter, Mrs. Pearl Winkler of Atkinson, Nebraska. Another daughter, Mrs. E. E. Fullerton of Keeline preceded him in death, passing away a little more than a year ago.

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