Obituary, Mar. 7, 1907 (unknown paper):
“Sad Death of Sherman F. Grim.
Prominent Young Attorney of Waynesburg Ends His Life
Financial Worries Weighed Heavily Upon His Mind and He Was Unable to Cast Them Off.
Our community was greatly shocked on Sabbath afternoon to learn that Sherman F. Grim, Esq., had been found in a dying condition in his room at the Allum hotel, as the result of wounds inflicted and opiates taken with the intention of suicide.
Since the failure of the Farmers & Drovers bank he had worried a great deal over financial matters,particularly in regard to his account as treasurer of Waynesburg borough. It is said that he had slept very little and taken scarcely any nourishment during the past month, and that he had lost in weight almost forty pounds. Owing to his despondency his family and friends were apprehensive that he might attempt self-destruction, and every means which he might use for this purpose was kept out of his reach. his relatives and those intimately associated with him endeavored to cheer him up, assuring him that there was no cause for his worry over the treasurer’s account and on last Saturday arrangements were made at a bank by which he was to secure about seven thousand dollars, the full amount of the borough funds remaining in his hands. On Friday or Saturday he made a proof of claim, at the Farmers & Drovers bank, for the amount on deposit there. It was also understood that he would be re-elected borough treasurer, at the meeting of council, to be held on Monday evening, for reorganization. He was informed that there was no feeling against him as borough treasurer and his fatherinlaw, J. P. Allum, arranged with him that on Monday morning they should go to West Alexander, Pa., and visit his uncle, John Grim, for a week.
On Sabbath moring Mr. Grim continued to manifest severe despondency and during a talk with his wife and Mr. Allum stated that he “had lost his nerve and couldn’t stand this much longer.” His effort to ward off his impending fate was most pitiful. Sometimes he would be seen caressing his boy in a manner which was touching, his friends knowing the thought which was weighing upon his mind.
Sabbath forenoon, about 11 o’clock he went into the kitchen of the Allum House and asked for a cup of coffee and secretly took possession of a butcher knife. He also asked for a cup of hot water and walking to a porch was supposed to be taking medicine, but in reality, it is believed, swallowed a large quantity of morphine. He then went up stairs to his room stating that he was going to read and did not wish to be disturbed.
When dinner was called his wife went to his room, but finding him lying upon the bed apparently in deep slumber, she returned to the dining room without attempting to awaken him. About 1:30 she again went to his room but found the door locked. She knocked, but received no response and requested a boarder, who was passing along the hall, to enter the room through a bath-room which adjoined. The sad discovery was then made. Mr. Grim was found lying upon the bed, apparently lifeless, his left arm hanging over the side of the bed and across the wrist was a deep gash which had severed all of the arteries and tendons. Five gashes were inflicted upon his throat but none of them had reached the jugular veins. The butcher knife was found on the floor beside the bed. Finding that the morphine was slow to act he had evidently arisen from the bed and walked into the bath room, where he inflicted the wounds, or some of them, and then returned to his room.
The family were overwhelmed with sorrow. Several physicians were hastily called, Drs. C. W. Spragg, R. E. Brock, J. A. Knox and Frank Ullom being in attendance. Every means possible was used to resuscitate the patient and save his life, saline solution, nitro-gylcerine and other stimulants being adopted. The wounds were dressed, about thirty stitches being necessary to close them, the patient lying motionless during this time. It was discovered that the severed arteries in the wrist had become clogged and stopped bleeding before he was found, otherwise life would have been extinct. Constant effort to bring him back to consciousness proved unavailing, though hope of saving his life was expressed by some at first. he died at 11:40 a. m. on Monday, without having regained consciousness.
Sherman F. Grim was born in 1866, and was the eldest son of Capt. Samuel Grim, deceased, of Wind Ridge, this county, who served in the Civil war as captain of Company B., First W. Va.., cavalry, and a few years ago was elected county commissioner. In 1887, Sherman Grim was appointed a railway postal clerk by Congressman J. W. Bay and filled the position most efficiently for several years, his route being from Harrisburg to New York. Having previously obtained an education in Waynesburg College, he resigned from the postal service and studied law with Hon. A. A. Purman. He was admitted to the bar in 1893 and entered upon the practice of his profession, with bright prospects. Upon his father’s election as commissioner, he was selected as county attorney and continued in that capacity for six years. Twelve years ago he was elected borough treasurer and had constantly filled that office since. he was prominent in the affaris of the Republican party, having served as county chairman and was several times sent as delegate to the State convention, being the delegate to the last convention.
Last year he was manager of the Waynesburg team in the P. O. M. baseball league and by the close of the season was out of pocket several thousand dollars, though he paid his players in full.
He was a member of the Elks and Eagles clubs and the Sons of Veterans camp. In disposition he was companionable and made many friends. He was a successful young attorney, possessing a bright intellect and good judgment. His death has cast a gloom over our community and sorrow is expressed on every hand.
He was united in marriage twelve years ago to Miss Annie Allum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Allum, and beside his wife, one son, Allum Grim, survives. he is also survived by his mother, three brothers, Beecher, of Iowa; Blaine, of Waynesburg, and Robert, of Wind Ridge, and four sisters, Mrs. Ella Mincer of CDhicago; Mrs. Fred. Summersgill, Misses Logan and Frances Grim, of Pittsburg, who with other relatives have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.
The funeral was held from the Allum House, Wednesday at 2 p. m., services being conducted by Revs. F. A. Bright, J. B. Taylor and J. W. McKay. the organizations of which deceased was a member and the Waynesburg bar attended in a body. The floral offerings were most beautiful and a large funeral procession wended its way to Green Mount cemetery, where the remains were laid to rest.”179