The Decatur Daily Despatch
Decatur, Illinois, Friday Morning, September 13, 1889

A SORRY SEQUEL
To a Domestic Tragedy of the Past

Monroe Gray, a Well Known Teacher, Commits Suicide at Last After Many Attempts – 
He leaves a Letter Behind – Melancholy the Cause of the Act.

Special to Decatur Despatch.
St. Louis, Sept. 12.  Monroe Gray, a well known school teacher at East Carondolet, a 
village seven miles down the river from this city, committed suicide early this morning by 
shooting himself with a revolver.  He had tried to shoot himself several times before, but 
was unsuccessful until this morning.  He left a letter to his children, a daughter aged 19 and 
a son of 16, describing his previous attempts at suicide.  Gray’s reason for desiring death 
was melancholy over the tragic breaking up of his domestic relations about five years ago.  
At that time, while living at Columbia, Monroe County, Ill., he shot and killed William Ditch, 
a wealthy farmer, together with his own wife, having surprised them in a compromising 
situation in his own home.  Gray was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to the 
penitentiary for one year, but was pardoned by Governor Oglesby after serving one month.  
The tragedy was one of the most noted in that section of the state.