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Thomas M. Morrow, 1879-1917

MORROW

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/13/2012 at 16:48:00

SHOT SELF IN HEAD-DIED INSTANTLY
PLACES REVOLVER TO HEAD, FIRES AND LIFE IS IMMEDIATELY ENDED.
HAD LONG BEEN DESPONDENT

T. M. Morrow, Meadow Township Farmer, Committed Suicide In Livery Barn Here Friday Afternoon

T. M. Morrow, a well known farmer living in Meadow township, Clay county, northeast of Spencer, shot himself through the head Friday afternoon at 4:25 o'clock in the office of the Walters livery barn on east Fifth street. Mr. Morrow had been in Spencer since Tuesday and had been complaining of not feeling well, but no one seemed to pay any particular attention to his complaint.

Friday afternoon Mr. Morrow was reclining on a cot in the office room of the feed barn. In conversation with Frank Walters, the owner of the barn, and a traveling man who was in the office, Mr. Morrow complained of not feeling well. He stated he believed he would call on the doctor. "We'll take you home, Tom, if you want to go," said Walters. Shortly, afterwards Morrow expressed a desire to go upstairs stating he wanted to rest a while. "Walters informed him there wasn't a cot there any more.

Later, Walters and the traveling man had reason to go to the back of the barn. They had covered a part of the distance when they heard the report of a revolver. Walters says the theught flashed through his mind immeadiately, "Morrow had done it now." Running to the sidewalk the men looked through the front window just in time to see Morrow's hand containing the revolver, drop down.

Help was immediately summoned, but the man was dead almost instantly. A crowd soon gathered and there was considerable excite for a while. The remains were removed to the Roy L. Cobb undertaking parlor where the body was prepared for burial.

Dr. J. M. Sokol, coroner, held an inquest and reported the cause of death to have been "Gun shot through head. Suicide."

The remains were removed from the Cobb undertaking parlor on Saturday and taken to the home in Meadow township, northeast of Spencer. Funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon of this week, with Rev. George W. Long of the Congregational church at Dickens in charge. Mr. Morrow was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Dickens. Members of the order attended the funeral in a body. Burial was made in the Meadow cemetery.

Deceased was born on February 23,1873, in the state of Vermont. He was 44 years of age at the time of his death. Besides his immediate family consisting of the widow and four children, two brothers and a sister were in attendance at the funeral.

It is hard to account for a man like Mr. Morrow committing such a rash act. As far as can be learned his financial affairs were in good shape and there waa no particular cause for worry along that line. The only reason that can be assigned for the deed, and with reason perhaps, is that he apparently had been drinking and was considerably worried over the outcome. At one time, it is said, he broke away from the habit, but fell again into its clutches. Mr. Morrow was a man well liked and gave every indication that he was getting along in a way that would eventually allow him to retire.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; November 7, 1917.

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Thomas Martin Morrow, child of James and Ellen Morrow, was born at Montpelier, Vermont, February 23, 1873. Died November 2, 1917, age 44 years, 8 months and 7 days. At nine years of age he came with his parents to Spink county, South Dakota, in 1882. About eight years later, he came with his parents to Clay county, Iowa, and after a few moves settled on a farm four miles northwest of Dickens, where he has resided until the time of his death. He was married to Rossie Pritchard in 1896. There were born to this union seven children, six boys and one girl, four of whom survive the father, Ralph, Henry, Arthur, Chas., Lester, James and Sarah Helen. He leaves to mourn, a wife, four children and relatives outside of the immediate family. Two sisters and two brothers, the sisters are Mrs. George H. Stotard of Brookings, So. Dak., who is present and Mrs. Scribner, who is not present. James Morrow of Cooley, No. Dak., and Henry Morrow of Williston, No. Dak., are present. Mr. Morrow was a member of the Odd Fellow lodge of Dickens. He has been a resident of this vicinity for a number of years, was numbered among the prosperous farmers of this community and has a large circle of friends. The relatives, have the sympathy of a large circle of friends. The funeral services were conducted at the farm home on Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The music was furnished by the male quartet of the Congregational church. Rev. Long who is pastor of the church, delivered the funeral sermon to a large gathering. It was one of the largest attended funerals in this part of the county. The remains were laid to rest in the Meadow cemetery and the Odd Fellows administered the last rites by dropping Cassia on the casket.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; November 7, 1917.

Interment in Fairview cemetery
 

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