The Pineville Sun Dated Thursday, July 27, 1961 Front Page Headline--Despondent Coal Miner Shoots Self At Home Secondary headline- Said to Be Despondent Because Unemployment Check Had Terminated A 49-year old Pathfork, KY., coal miner, Pearl Howard, shot and killed himself Tuesday afternoon, July 25, at about 1:00 p.m. at his home in the Mill Creek section in Harlan County. According to a State Detective, who ruled the death as suicide, Howard had been despondent because his unemployment check had terminated, because of his crippled condition from a previous auto accident, and becasue he couldn't find employment. He had repeatedly gone to doctors to get a work slip but was turned down. Howard had been laid off for sometime at the Black Star coal mine. It was reported by neighbors that Howard was sitting on the porch with his wife who was peeling peaches prior to the incident. He picked up a large peach, handed it to his wife, and told her that it might be the last peach he would give her. He then walked into the house and shot himself. The .22 claiber bullet entered his head through the right eye. Investigating the incident was a State Detective, Coroner Frank Durham, Harlan County Deputy Sheriff, Charlie Howard, and Maj. Tom Moore. His body was taken to the Cawood Funeral Home in Middlesboro where funeral arrangements are incomplete. Submitted by Mary Eldridge-Harris I do not know the names of Pearl's parents, nor do I have the name of his wife.