McKim, John died 1907

MCKIM, TUCKER, GRANT

Posted By: Cindy Maust Smith (email)
Date: 6/21/2021 at 14:42:07

JOHN MCKIM A SUICIDE

Business Reverses Drive Him to Desperate Deed

CARBOLIC ACID ENDS HIS LIFE

Splendid Crawford County Man Dies By His Own Hand at Pittsburg, Kansas

John R. McKim, a man in the prime of his life, well known and well beloved by all the old time residents of this county ended his life by taking carbolic acid at his room in a hotel at Pittsburg, Kansas, last Friday night. He was not discovered until some time after the powerful poison had been taken and the body was cold in death when found.

His aged mother Mrs. E.A. McKim of Deloit, and his brother James McKim and wife left at once for the scene of the tragedy. Up to this time nothing is known except the meagre press dispatches in which it is stated that the reason to be assigned is that the brooding over recent financial reveres temporarily unbalanced his mind.

John McKim was a man of great ability and resoluteness of character and it is hard to believe that he has died a suicide's death. He was a man of strong affections.

But a few months ago he came to Crawford county to visit his mother and the scenes of long ago. While here he paid a visit to the Review office. He spoke with great pride of his children, his wife and his home and showed deep love for them. He also seemed courageous and resolute for life's battle, although he did speak of business losses.

Mr. McKim was born and raised in Crawford county. By his own efforts he worked his way through school and through college. He was a deep, clear thinker, sensitive in his make-up but always full of determination and grit. He left home to seek his fortune and purchased a flouring mill in Pittsburg, Kansas. He increased the capacity of the plant and became an expert in milling machinery. Finally the venture proved unprofitable, but he had faith in its future and clung to the hope that some day it would pay.

For a time he edited a mining paper called "The Smeltor" at Pittsburg, Kansas. Later he accepted a position with the Cudahy Packing Co., as salesman. At this he did very well but his earnings went to maintain the losing mill venture. Still later he travelled for the Kansas City Baking Co. of Chicago and he was connected with that company at the time of his death.

The day before he took the deadly poison he had spent in Pittsburgh, looking after his business interests. It is supposed that he found these in bad shape and that in a period of despondency he took his life.

Besides his mother and his brother James, he leaves a a sister, Mrs. Hildreth Tucker, his wife, two sons, nearly grown to manhood and two daughters.

We can but feel intense sympathy for all of them in this hour of heaviest woe, and we can but mourn for the noble hearted man who has gone. What mental anguish preceded the rash deed none but his Maker can even know, but we have faith that the All Merciful knew his inmost-heart, knew of his struggles, his temptations, his innate honesty and purity of soul and that grevious though be the sin of self-destruction, it has been more than forgiven him, for the sake of the life he lived and the trials he went through.

Source: The Denison Review, Wednesday, February 20, 1907, Denison, Iowa, Page 1

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Related article:
MARRRIED - At Lansing, Allamakee county Iowa, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1885. Mr. John R. McKim and Miss Jennie A. Grant.

The groom is a young gentleman well known in this vicinity, having lived at Deloit for many years. He is now in business at Pickrel, Neb., and doing well.

Mr. McKim and bride visited at Deloit during the latter part of last week, and were off for Pickrel on the Monday morning express. The Review and many friends wish the couple much happiness.

Source: The Denison Review, Friday, October 9, 1985, Denison, Iowa, Page 2