Moyer, Fred E. died 1903
MOYER, BARTHELL, WELLS, FITCH, HOLMAN, HART, BARTHEL
Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/15/2016 at 10:27:12
Elkader Argus, Wed., 11 Feb. 1903.
Elkader people were startled this morning by a telephone message from Prairie du Chien (Wis.) which announced the death by suicide of Fred E. Moyer, of this city, traveling salesman for Peaslee, Brady & Co., of Dubuque. Fred was in Elkader Sunday and seemed to be in his usual good health and humor and it is difficult to believe that so sudden a transition had come.
He left Elkader Monday and arriving at Prairie du Chien (Wis.) Tuesday morning registered at the commercial Hotel. The morning he spent at the hotel attending to correspondence and made a remittance to his firm. In the afternoon he visited his customers about the town. After supper he was in the office until 7:15 when he retired to his room but at that time it was apparent to those who observed him that he was not well. This morning when the clerk went to call him his dead body was found, fully dressed, laying across the bed.
A three-once vial of carbolic acid nearly empty on the dresser, a tumbler in which was a little of the acid and the burned lips of the corpse told the tale. Evidently he had taken the poison soon after going to the room.
No letters or papers were found on his person or among his effects to give the slightest reason for the deed. He was always of a cheerful disposition and his friends are unable to account for his deplorable action.
Mr. Moyer was born in Elkader about 40 years ago and has always made his home here. For years he was engaged in the livery business, then served as clerk at the Merchants Hotel and later at the Bayless, being very popular with the traveling public. About two years ago he began work as a traveling salesman in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota and has been quite successful in his work.
A. L. Barthell and A. H. Wells, brothers-in-law of the deceased, went to Prairie du Chien (Wis.) this noon to take charge of the remains. It is expected that interment will be in this city.
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Elkader Argus, Wed., 18 Feb. 1903.
The funeral of the late Fred Moyer was held Friday afternoon at the Congregational church, Rev. G. W. Baxter officiating. A large number of sorrowing friends were in attendance. Deceased is survived by two brothers and six sisters, C. B. Moyer, of Gilmore, Ia.; A. C., of Osseo, Minn.; Mrs. R. J. Fitch, Nevada, Ia.; Mrs. F. W. Holman, Oregon City, Ore.; Mrs. C. N. Hart, New Providence, Ia.; Estella Moyer, Milwaukee, Wis.; Mrs. A. L. Barthel and Mrs. A. H. Wells, of Elkader.
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