February 9, 1844

After breakfast, 47-year-old Missouri Gov. Thomas Reynolds shut himself inside his office in the Governor’s Mansion and shot himself in the head. He won the governor’s office in 1840. Reynolds previously stablished a successful law practice in Fayette and served as Speaker of the House. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Jefferson City. Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press. Adobe Stock photo