Jackson Bolton, Assistant City Engineer of Richmond, found dead in home.
The son of prominent city physician Dr. James Bolton from the middle of the nineteenth century, Jackson Bolton served Richmond for forty-two years, starting his time in 1869. By 1911, Mr. Bolton had served continuously and was senior to all in the city government in terms of longevity. He was known for his steady and honest duty toward his job for the city of Richmond.
The days leading up to Mr. Bolton's death, there was no sign of depression or any hint that he was of ill health. In his role with the city he handled engineering projects, and the contracts that went along with those tasks. The previous couple of years Mr. Bolton had come under some scrutiny for errors in regard to mishandling the design of certain engineering projects, and inaccurate budget and contracting estimates. He had even offered his resignation, but was convinced by City Engineer Bolling to withdraw it. It was most likely the criticism and pressure of the events of those couple of years that led to Jackson Bolton's actions on the morning of February 27.
Early on the morning of February 27, 1911, Jackson Bolton's full grown son heard his father moving around in his room, around 6:30 a.m.. Approximately an hour later Bolton's daughter entered the room and found her father fully clothed laying on the bathroom floor. He had removed a rubber pipe from a nearby gas stove, which was found lying next to his mouth. No suicide note was found, so the authorities at the time pronounced it an apparent suicide, not premeditated. He had inhaled the gas fumes until he passed away. Mr. Bolton was only 61 years old.
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