Cheetem

CHEETEM

Posted By: Deb Barker (email)
Date: 10/21/2014 at 19:12:24

FLORIS RESIDENT TAKES OWN LIFE
THOMAS CHEETEM FOUND DEAD IN BED WITH THROAT CUT FROM EAR TO EAR.
Floris, July 27.—(Special.)— The dead body of Thomas Cheetem, an old resident of this place, was found this morning in his home, where he lived alone, with his throat slashed from ear to ear, having taken his own life. An inquest will be held over the remains today. A deep mystery surrounds the case. Cheetem lived by himself, preferring his own company to others. Saturday he told some friends that he was going to Centerville to visit. He was not seen since then.
Dr. W. W. Parker and some friends, going past the Cheetem hut this morning detected a bad odor, and breaking down the door to gain entrance to the house, they found the man dead, his body lying in a pool of blood. It was badly decomposed. Cheetem was about 63 years of age and was a veteran of the civil war. He was a peculiar man and lived alone. He is said to have plenty of money, owning several residences in Floris. He has a sister living in Bloomfield and one in Des Moines. A brother is also living, but his whereabouts are unknown.