Walter Jordison 1884 – 1898

JORDISON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/14/2020 at 14:01:10

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 27, 1898 P 3 C 3

Suicide of a Delaware Co. Lad.
Manchester Press:—Sheriff R. W. Fishel and Coroner H. W. Lawrence were summoned late last Tuesday evening to the home of Kit Jordison, who resides on the Boardway farm in Pride township, southwest of this city, to investigate the death of Mr. Jordison's fourteen year old son, Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Jordison came to Manchester on Tuesday afternoon, leaving at home the son, Walter, in company with an older brother. During the course of the afternoon the older boy left home and wont to a neighbor’s, leaving Walter at home alone. Apparently seeking for some means of amusement, he procured a muzzle-loading musket which was in the house and began shooting, selecting various objects about the yard for targets. The shooting attracted the attention of Will Meyers, a near neighbor, who came over to the Jordison place and exchanged a few words with the boy. At this time he appeared to be in excellent spirits and displayed a jovial mood in his replies. He continued the shooting until toward dusk, when he was noticed walking in the direction of the extreme border of the farm. Upon the arrival home of his parents, he was missed from the house and upon a search he was found lying in a cornfield, his head terribly mangled, the weapon which had accomplished the deed lying by his side. Before entering the field he had removed his hat, coat and vest and thrown them on the ground, doing away with the possible idea that death might have resulted from an accident. Walter received a severe fall this summer during the haying season while at work in the barn, on his father's place, and it is thought to have produced temporary aberration.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born Feb. 23, 1884 and died Oct. 18, 1898. He is buried in Sand Creek Cemetery.