Suicide of John Simpson; body found by John and Charles Chisholm: AL

From the Times Daily Jan 3 1908:

"Shocking Occurrence
Mr John Simpson Commits Suicide by Shooting

On Wednesday afternoon last our city was shocked by the announcement that Mr. John Simpson had committed suicide.The intelligence spread rapidly through the city, and there were unusual expressions of profound sorrow, at the most distressing occurrence.
The rash deed was done just after 1 o'clock and took place in the corn crib on the Burtwell farm several miles north of the city, which place Mr. Simpson had leased for a term of years.
Just previous to the distressing occurrence Mr. Simpson had been talking to two of his colored hands, and gave no indication either by his manner or conversation that anything was wrong; but he immediately afterwards went to the crib and entered it.In a few minutes the report of a pistol was heard, and the colored men, John and Charles Chisholm, hurried to the scene and found Mr. Simpson sitting up with his back against the crib, and dead.They hurried to the city with the news; when a number of friends drove hastily to the farm, to render such assistance as in their power.
No adequate cause is known to account for this deed.It is said that he had been somewhat depressed by his business condition, induced doubtless by ill heath and good sense, and no one could believe he contemplated such a rash act.
Just before he committed the act he wrote a note to his wife, who, with the family, live in the city, that he intended to kill himself; and this shocking news was followed in a short time by the intelligence that the deed had been done.
Mr. Simpson was in Florence Tuesday moving among his friends as usual, and none of them noticed anything unusual about him.
In their deep affliction the family of the deceased have the profound sympathy of all our people."

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