Roys, Jane (Maellors) 1866 - 1916

ROYS, MAELLORS, SHAMBAUGH

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/23/2019 at 10:15:00

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 24 Aug. 1916.

The community was startled Wednesday morning at learning that Mrs. Ben Roys, of Highland township, who was here taking medical treatment, had committed suicide.

Mrs. Roys was stopping with Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Heitcamp, Jr., on the East Side and was apparently cheerful Thursday evening, going over to the Fred Lenth home to see a friend and later retiring as usual. Her room was on the ground floor while Mr. and Mrs. Heitcamp slept upstairs. Wednesday morning they rose early, as Mr. Heitcamp is expressman and baggageman on the Elkader branch and goes to his work at about 5:30 a.m. He stepped out the back door and there hung the corpse of Mrs. Roys in a tree a few feet away. She had torn up the sheets of her bed to make a rope and had hung herself. She had been in poor health for about a year and probably took her life in a fit of despondency over her condition, although there was ample hope for her ultimate recovery.

Her body was taken to Regan & Witt's undertaking rooms and the family summoned. Later it was taken to her home in Highland township.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at the home and then at the Presbyterian Church in Volga, Rev. Roberts officiating, assisted by Rev. Nielsen. Interment was in the Hill Crest cemetery at Volga.

Jane Maellors was born near Ratford, England, February 14th, 1866, and grew to womanhood in her native land. She came to America September 21st, 1890, and on October 18th of that year was married to Ben Roys, whom she had known in England, at Arlington. Their home since that time has been in the vicinity of Volga and Arlington and for the past six years on the farm known as the Sam Robinson farm in Highland township, which they purchased.

She is survived by her stricken husband, three sons, B. F. M. Roys, of Arlington; John W. and Jesse D. at home; three daughters, Mrs. Mildred Shambaugh, of Arlington, Ruth E. and Ethel A., at home, and two grandchildren in this county. A sister and two brothers still live in England.

The sympathy of all goes out to the bereaved family.