McLaughlin, John 1893

MCLAUGHLIN

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:30

The Clinton Morning Age 15 Nov 1893
SUICIDE.
JOHN McLAUGHLIN, EX-DEPUTY RECORDER, COMMITS
Suicide Yesterday Noon -- The Cause of His Rash Act so Far is Not Known.
Shortly after twelve o'clock, noon, Tuesday, John McLaughlin, ex-deputy county recorder, shot and instantly killed himself, at his residence, 718 North Third street.
No reason has been given, or found, for the terrible act, but it is generally conceded to have been dispondency caused by financial trouble and reverses. His heart-broken wife said that he went away from the house early Monday. He seemed dispondent and blue, and did not say where he was going. At a late hour Monday night he sent word to her by a boy that he would not be home that night. He did not return and nothing more was heard from him by his wife until he came home Tuesday for dinner. He did not offer any explanation for his absences, or hold any conversation with her at all, eating his dinner alone and in silence. When he finished he went up stairs. A few minutes later a strange gurgling noise was heard coming from his room upstairs. His wife at first thought he was asleep and snoring, but something prompter her to go up. She found her husband lying in bed on his back. He was in his shirt sleeves and had his shoes off, and the comforts and bed clothes were all pulled over his breast. She pulled them aside and found blood flowing from a hole in his side just over his heart. His hands were clasped across his breast, and a revolver lay on the bed at his side. Several neighbors, who were attracted by the distracted wife's screams, went to the house, and when they learned of the awful tragedy, one of them hurried for a doctor. He was found only a few doors away, but the suicide's work was done well, for before the doctor reached the house he had breathed his last. The news spread like wild fire, and soon quite a number of his friends hurried to his home, surprised and shocked beyond description, as they all said that John was the last one they would ever look to for anything like that.
John McLaughlin was about 34 years old, and came to Clinton about six years ago. He secured a position in the recorder's office under M. E. Jordan, and had been connected with that office at intervals ever since. He was finally give the position of deputy recorder, and he held that position until a few weeks ago, when he was discharged. He has done nothing since then. It was learned later that he had been out hunting Monday and met with an accident. His buggy was badly wrecked, and he left it at a blacksmith shop in Lyons to be repaired. He said very little to the blacksmith, and soon after he left, some one from Clinton called and took the buggy away.
The inquest was held yesterday afternoon, but nothing new was developed.

The Clinton Morning Age 16 Nov 1893
SPECIAL TRAIN
TO CONVEY THE FUNERAL PARTY TO QUIGLEY
This Morning at 8:30 With the Remains of John McLaughlin -- Verdict.
A special train has been arranged for to leave the Northwestern depot at 8:30 this morning with the body and the friends of the late John McLaughlin, for Quigley, where the remains will be interred. It is understood that all who may desire, will be welcome to go on the train.
Following is the verdict of the coroner's jury:
State of Iowa
Clinton County } ss
An inquisition holden at Clinton, in said county and state, on the 14th day of November, A. D., 1893, before me, C. W. Meyers, coroner of said county, upon the body of John McLaughlin, there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereto subscribed. The said jurors upon oath do say, that the said John McLaughlin came to his death by reason of a pistol shot wound, inflicted by his own hand, at or about 1 o'clock p.m. of the day and date above written, at his residence, No. 718 North Third street, in the said city of Clinton, while laboring under temporary insanity.
In testimony whereof the said jurors have hereunto set their hands, the day and year aforesaid.
C. F. Kellogg,
A. W. Bockel,
Richard Price }Jurors
Atest C. W. Meyers, Coroner of Clinton County.

The Clinton Morning Age 17 Nov 1893
McLAUGHLIN.
The funeral of the lamented John McLaughlin was held yesterday morning under the auspices of the Clinton Lodge, K. P. of which he was a member. The funeral party left Clinton over the Midland at 8:50 o'clock, on a special train of two coaches. The funeral procession was very impressive, and was led by about fifty members of the K. P. stretched out fully a mile in length. The services were held at the Deep Creek church and were conducted by Rev. Father O'Dowd and the sermon was delivered by Rev. Father Bowen of Preston.
Following is the names of the pall bearers:
Will Dougherty,
John Donnelly,
Ed. Sheppard,
Thos. Price,
T. J. Hudson,
Ed. Burke.