Taylor, Harl G. (1897-1927)

TAYLOR, LEDGERWOOD

Posted By: Carl Malone (email)
Date: 11/25/2016 at 21:16:26

The Atlantic News Telegraph
Atlantic, Iowa
July 25, 1927

DESPONDENT OVER ILL HEALTH HARL TAYLOR ENDS LIFE

Shoots Self thru Head with Small Rifle at J. O. Berry Home Here. Was War Veteran.

Harl G. Taylor, well known local man, ended his life about 8 o’clock last evening by shooting himself through the head with a 22-caliber rifle at the home of his father-in-law, J. O. Berry, 501 [?] street, where he and his wife had been making their home since last December. In a note to his wife, Taylor stated that continued ill health had caused him to become despondent and prompted him to commit the act. Taylor has been in ill health for some time and just recently returned from Rochester, Minn., where he had been under treatment in a hospital.

Died Shortly Afterward.

Taylor went to the garage at the Berry home about 8 o’clock and seating himself on the running board of a car in the building placed his head over the muzzle of the rifle and pulled the trigger. The bullet tore a small hole through the brain. He died a few minutes later.

Mr. Berry and A. C. Highley, a neighbor, were discussing the road bond question when they saw Taylor enter the garage. Shortly after, they heard a sharp crack but thought that Taylor might have been playing with the Berry dog and had broken a stick. Mr. Berry entered the house about ten minutes later and Mrs. Taylor asked where her husband was. Berry told her that he went into the garage but thought he had returned to the house.

Mrs. Taylor found her husband sitting on the running board of the car in the garage when she went to look for him.

As it was an evident case of suicide no inquest was held.

Born at Arthur.

Mr. Taylor was born Feb. 22, 1897, at Arthur, Ia., where he lived for many years, later moving here in December. He was an engineer by trade and worked with the Cass county engineer’s office for about a month and was later employed with the Walnut Grove Products company.

He was married to Mrs. Jessie Francis Ledgerwood March 31, 1923. Besides his widow, he is survived by an adopted daughter, Shirley Marie Taylor, and two brothers, W. C. Taylor of Arthur and Roy Taylor of Chicago. One sister is deceased.

Mason and Legionaire [Legionnaire].

Deceased was a member of the Masonic blue lodge of Arthur and of the Royal Arch Masonic lodge at Ida Grove. He was also a member of the American Legion post at Arthur.

Short services will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock at the Roland. Peacock & Baxter funeral home and the remains will be taken to Odebolt, where funeral services will be held at the Mrs. Margaret Falcnar [Falconer] home. Burial will be at Odebolt with the Masonic lodge in charge.

NOTE FROM CONTRIBUTOR: Harl Taylor was born February 22, 1897 and died July 24, 1927

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