A Suicide's Note Left For Mother

Irwin Adams takes his life on Kirtley Creek with his own rifle.
Dear Mother: I have made up my mind that I would end it up; that my life is gone and I am happy no more. I think Ed will pay for the funeral until they can sell some of my stock, or he might take some of my stock for the pay. Mr. Doebler will see that I have done this myself. It is pretty hard to take but, I am the one that can take it. So goodbye, mother, Pearly, Ella and Jim. Goodbye forever. Your son Irwin.

George Irvin Adams, aged 23 years, a resident of Kirtley Creek, five miles above the dredge, shot and killed himself last Monday with his own rifle. It was a case of suicide. The young man left the ranch of his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Hohn H. Adams, where he made his home, at ten o'clock in the morning, riding away horseback. His mission was to come to Salmon to have cashed a ten dollar warrant from the state veterinary department which the young man had received for animal bounties. He said he would carry along his rifle so that hemight be able to shoot a coyote or two on the ride. A few miles from his home Ed Manfull gave him a quarter and requested that the traveler buy some tobacco for him. There was nothing unusual in the young man's appearance or actions until half a mile down the road Mr. Manfull observed that the rider had dismounted and was leading his horse. Along in the afternoon the horse came up the road riderless.
Then an investigation resulted in finding the lifeless body in a small shed by the side of the road half a mile up from the dredge. Mr. Manfull notified Coroner Doebler and the sheriff's department. Mr. Doebler and Sheriff Frazier at once visited the place. It was found that a bullet from the rifle had penetrated the cheek under the right eye and torn away the top of the head, causing instant death.
The father did not at first consider it possible that the son, who was known as being always cheerful and happy, could have killed himself. Indeed the death was accounted for as accidental until the note was found the next day.
Mr. Doebler discovered the explanatory note along with the warrant received from the state in the coat pocket of the dead man. He also found the Quarter which Mr. Manfull had given the young man. There was no further official inquiry. The suicide had been engaged in stockraising and a little mining. There are eight brothers and sisters surviving.