Mr. & Mrs. Wm. McCroskey

MCCROSKEY, HILLYER, WRIGHT, CROCK, AYRES

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 3/30/2017 at 09:28:20

18 August 1932 - The Tipton Advertiser

Wilton, Ia., Aug. 17 - A tragic scene greeted neighbors Monday when they suspicioned rather unusual quietness about the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. McCroskey here and proceeded to investigate. The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. McCroskey were found dead in the basement of their home at 4:45 p.m. Coroner W. E. Norton of Muscatine, who was summoned, returned a verdict that McCroskey had shot and killed his wife and then committed suicide. It is believed the tragedy occurred some time last Friday evening since neither of the McCroskeys had been seen since that time.

J. M. Chambers of Wilton had seen Mr. McCroskey in the business district of town about 1:00 p.m. Friday. Marshal F. F. Abbott of Wilton was summoned by neighbors when alarm was felt as to their whereabouts. The screen doors of both front and back porches were hooked inside. Mr. Abbott forced entry in the house, and in the basement found Mrs. McCroskey lying face downward at the foot of the stairs. In another part of the basement the body of Mr. McCroskey was found. The position of Mrs. McCroskey's body indicated that she had been shot as she started to descend the steps. She was shot through the head. Officers believe that McCroskey killed his wife, and, going to another part of the basement seated himself and then shot himself through the head. A 22 caliber rifle was found beside his body, which was leaning against the wall. It is believed financial worries had prompted the deed. No inquest was held.

Both Mr. and Mrs. McCroskey were born in Cedar county and were well known. The couple purchased a home in Wilton about 12 years ago when they retired from the farm. They were married Dec. 11, 1882.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Earl Hillyer of Cedar county, eight grandchildren. Mr. McCroskey is also survived by a brother George of Tipton, a sister Mrs. Lucy Wright of Atalissa, a half-brother Harry, Cedar county; a half-sister Mrs. Ethel Crock, Wilton, and his stepmother, Mrs. Lou McCroskey, Wilton. Two brothers, H. B. and L. N. Ayres, survive Mrs. McCroskey.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at Oakdale cemetery, Wilton, in charge of Rev. J. M. Newgard.