William Beck Smith 1875 - 1932

SMITH, ASBY, BARTON

Posted By: Debbie (email)
Date: 9/14/2012 at 15:58:28

The Burlington Hawk-Eye, Saturday, February 27, 1932, page 1 & 2

WILLIAM SMITH SUICIDE VICTIM
Wife Finds Body of Former Senator's
Son Hanging From Rafter in Garage
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Yarmouth, Ia. Feb. 26. William Smith 56, Washington township and son of Fred N. Smith of Lockridge, former state senator from Des Moines county, hanged himself in the garage at his home one mile east of Yarmouth today.
The body was found hanging from a rafter in the garage at 4 o'clock in the afternoon by his wife. Smith had not been despondent and members of the family could give no reason for his act.
He left the house about 11:30 being in good spirits and said that he would be back for the noon meal. Mrs. Smith did not become alarmed as he was helping neighbors saw wood, thinking he had been staying with them for the meal.
About 4 o'clock a neighbor wanting into the barn lot and honking the horn of her car for Mrs. Smith to come out. In going to the barn it is necessary for Mrs. Smith to open the garage and as she opened the door she discovered her husbands body.
B.A. Prugh was called and the body was taken to Prugh's chapel in Burlington.
Smith was born in Des Moines county Nov. 21, 1875. He had been farming near Yarmouth for a number of years and was well known thruout the county.
He is survived by his widow and three children, Mrs. Surrell Barton of Mediapolis, Ia., Fred N. Smith of Farmington, Ia., and Jack Smith at home; his father, and two brothers, J. C. Smith of Mt. Union and B. D. Smith of Toolsboro, Ia. Two grandchildren also survive.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

The Burlington Hawk-Eye, Sunday, February 28, 1932

FUNERAL RITES FOR WILLIAM B. SMITH TO BE HELD MONDAY
Funeral services for William Beck Smith, 56 Washington township farmer, who hanged himself in a garage at his home one mile east of Yarmouth Friday, will be held at Pleasant Grove church at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon.
The cortege will leave Prugh's chapel at 1 o'clock. Mr. Smith was a son of Fred N. Smith of Lockridge, former state senator from Des Moines county and was a former resident of Burlington.