****************** Spirit of the Times Batavia, Genesee County, New York State July 24-1886 Oakfield Oracles. Mrs. John JOSLYN of Wheatsville, who attempted to shoot herself on Saturday last, is reported as recovering from the wounds. Mr. Will WIARD and two sisters of Syracuse, are spending a couple of weeks at Levant WOLCOTT's. Frank DORF and wife of Batavia, were visiting friends in town on Monday. D.N. CALKINS of Rochester is home on a two weeks' vacation. Miss Georgia NICHOL of Medina, has been visiting friends in town this week. I.W. HOLLISTER of Newark, is in town this week harvesting his wheat on the L. RATHBONE farm. Our community was startled early Monday morning by the report that James LANGLEY, the well-known colored man who has lived at the OLCOTT House since January 1st, had shot himself fatally. The facts as ascertained at the coroners' inquest are as follows: LANGLEY arose that morning about 4:30 o'clock and went to work as usual about the house, helping the women prepare to wash, etc., nothing strange being noticed in his manner. A little after six he went across from the hotel to Harris & Chapin's hardware store and told the clerk, Don. McDONALD, that they were troubled with rats at the barn and wanted to buy a revolver. The clerk sold him a thirty-two caliber revolver and a box of cartridges, and he returned directly tot he barn. No report of the revolver was heard, but Mr. ARNOLD, upon going to the barn about 6:30, discovered LANGLEY lying on his back on the floor with his head against a box stall and the revolver by his side. Dr. JACKSON was summoned at once and made an examination, finding a hole through his vest in the region of ht heart, but life was extinct. The body was carried into the OLCOTT house and coroner PUGSLEY impaneled the following jury: Barnum BLISS, J. BRUIETT, M.S. DUNLAP, J. DAVIS, Geo. W. HAXTON, and E.T. CHAMBERLIN, who viewed the body and adjourned until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. An examination of the revolver showed that the hammer had fallen on one of the cartridges but failed to explode it. It is thought by some that LANGLEY attempted to shoot a rat and the weapon failed to explode and as he examined it to ascertain the cause it was accidentally discharged, inflicting the fatal wound. Others think the shooting was intentional, although no cause can be ascribed for the deed. LANGLEY was well known in this county, having lived at Batavia for over twenty years, working at different periods during that time for Capt. PARISH, Dr. TOZIER and J.B. ARNOLD. He was a quiet, faithful kind-hearted and industrious man and was always well liked by his employers. It is said he had considerable money laid up. The jury, after hearing what evidence was produced, rendered a verdict of accidental shooting. LANGLEY's remains were taken to Batavia on Tuesday morning by undertaker WEAVER, and the funeral held at the residence of Fred ROBINSON on Jackson street, at ten o'clock. His age was 87 years. He has a brother in Philadelphia and other relatives in Norfolk, Va. * submitted by Linda Schmidt *********************************************