William Henry Shay (1853 - 1895)

Born 13 May 1853 in Preston County, VA (now WV)

Ancestors

Husband of Rhoda Jane (Goff) Engle — married 7 May 1885 in Preston County, WV

Died 30 Jul 1895 at age 42 in Preston County, WV

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Roy Lockhart [send private message]

Biography

He is buried in the Shays Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, near Newburg, Preston County, WV.

THE WEST VIRGINIA ARGUS.
KINGWOOD, W. VA., THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1895.
VOLUME XXIV. NUMBER 40.
Page 2, Column 2
SUICIDE AT NEWBURG.
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William H. Shay Goes Violently Insane and Cuts His Throat From Ear to Ear.
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Special to The ARGUS.
NEWBURG, W. VA., July 30, ‘95.
Yesterday morning a man by the name of Wm. H. Shay went violently insane at his home, about a mile above town. After threatening to kill his wife, he left for parts unknown. His neighbors came to town to get assistance for the purpose of searching the surrounding country for him, and after searching diligently all day they were unable to locate him. When darkness came on them they separated and went to their respective homes, with the intention of re-assembling this morning to resume their search for the missing man. About seven o’clock James Flynn, of Austen, succeeded in capturing him somewhere in that locality and persuaded him to accompany him, on some pretext or other, to Newburg, and while on their way here there came up a rain, so they dismounted from their horses and took shelter under a tree, and while there one of the horses got loose and Flynn proceeded to catch it, Shay taking advantage of this opportunity escaped, and when he was next found, his body was lying in the creek, about a mile above town, with his throat cut from ear to ear and life extinct. He had walked a half mile after he had cut his throat. The knife that he used was a very small one and was lying by his side. His windpipe and jugular vein were entirely severed. He was brought to town and placed in Barb’s undertaking establishment, where his remains now lie. Hundreds of people come and view his body. This unfortunate man leaves a wife and no children. He was a law-abiding and much respected and industrious farmer, and leaves a host of friends and relatives to mourn his untimely and horrible death. The deceased was a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, and will be buried by the lodge.
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Another correspondent sends the following account:
Mr. William Shay, living about three miles north of this place, committed suicide to-day with a small penknife, severing the windpipe, throat and jugular vein, cutting his neck nearly half in two. He has shown signs of insanity for some days and has been going about the neighborhood, and last night stayed at his mother’s, and he getting worse they decided to bring him to Newburg to take steps to send him to the Asylum. He got away from the man who was bringing him and ran into a corn field, and after hunting some time he was found in a small stream dead, the knife lying under him. He leaves a wife, but no children. Funeral, Tuesday, July 30th, at Shay’s Chapel, conducted by the Odd Fellows he being a prominent member of that society. He was a man well respected. and no cause is given as to his insanity.

The Preston County Journal.
KINGWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1895.
VOL. XXIX. NO. 1. WHOLE NO. 1517.
Page 1, Column 7
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.
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Adopted By Fair Play Lodge No. 126 I. O. O. F.
Whereas, it hath pleased the Grand Master of the Universe in his wisdom, to remove from our order by the hand of death, Bro. Wm. H. Shay, a kind and affectionate husband, a good citizen, and a true Odd Fellow, therefore be it
Resolved, That while we deeply deplore his loss and lament that his presence will no longer be with us, we bow submissively to the divine decree.
Resolved, That we extend to the bereaved family in their great affliction, our sincere sympathy and point them to our heavenly Father who “Doeth all things well.”
Resolved, That the charter be draped in mourning and that the members wear the usual badge for thirty days and that a copy of these resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased Brother, and spread upon the minutes of the Lodge.
Fraternally submitted,
F. W. GANDY,
H. B. SQUIRES,
LORAIN FORTNEY,
Committee.

Sources

• "West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FY7N-5HS : 11 February 2018), William Henry Shay and Roda Jane Goff, 1885; citing Preston, West Virginia, United States, , county clerks, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 827,597.

"The Goff Family" Roy L. Lockhart 1974, his marriage record, newspaper account of his death and Resolutions of Respect, personal examination of his tombstone 1983, Find A Grave.