A Miner's Last Spree: The Newcastle Suicide That Shocked a Coal Town

August Sanders, one of the oldest and most expert of the Newcastle miners, committed suicide yesterday morning in his room at Newcastle by shooting himself through the head with a 44-caliber revolver.

He was an unmarried man, aged 45 years, and lived in the same house with Gus Nelson. He was addicted to the use of liquor and frequently went on protracted sprees. For the past four or five days he had been heavily drinking and, according to reports, was on the verge of delirium tremens. He went to his home yesterday morning; the desire to end his life took possession of him. He drew his heavy revolver from its case, placed the muzzle at his left breast above the nipple and pulled the trigger. His aim was not true and the bullet glanced upwards, lodging in his shoulder. Not being deterred from his intention by this failure, he placed the gun to his head and sent a bullet crashing through his brain from a point just above the left ear.

As his lifeless body fell to the floor with blood spurting from the wounds, Gus Nelson, who had been asleep in an adjoining room, rushed in. A moment's glance was enough to show that the deed was done and Sanders would never go on another spree. Word was immediately sent to Coroner Askam, who left last evening for Newcastle to investigate the case.

The following from a special dispatch from Newcastle gives additional particulars of the suicide:

“Sanders has worked in the mines for twelve years and was noted for his fearlessness, as he would work in the most dangerous places with as much unconcern as though he were above ground. His very existence seemed to bore him, as he had often expressed the wish that the roof would cave and kill him. Since the fire at Coal Creek, which closed the big mine, he has not been working and he used up all his savings, which did not amount to much, as he spent nearly all his earnings for liquor. He had been in a saloon a few minutes before his death and spent the last quarter he possessed, after which he went to his cabin, deliberately lay down on the floor and fired the fatal shots. He was Swedish by birth and leaves two sisters in this country, one of whom is said to be in New York.

“Coroner Askam was notified by telegraph of the suicide and came out on the evening boat, but after making investigation decided that an inquest was unnecessary. Sanders will be buried tomorrow by the local lodge Knights of Pythias, of which he was a member.”