Truman Cleveland Peterson, Senior

PETERSON, MICHAEL, BEARD

Posted By: Mike Peterson (email)
Date: 9/8/2009 at 20:47:42

The following obituary appeared in the March 27, 1907 (Wednesday) - Estherville Enterprise newspaper.

SUICIDE NEAR TERRIL

T.C. Peterson Shot Himself With Revolver Wednesday Morning.

Terril Tribune: The citizens of Terril were startled Wednesday morning to hear that T. C. Peterson who has been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. H. Michael, four miles northeast of town, had committed suicide by shooting Wednesday morning. He has been living with his sons and daughters for the past few years, his health not permiting him to live alone. Tuesday evening he talked rationally with J. A. Lewis, the Richland assessor, and with his daughter's family. He was sleeping with Mr. Michael and when the latter got up to do chores he was awake and did not show any symptoms of suicide. While the women folks were in the other part of the house they heard what they supposed was a door slamming but in reality it was the shot that ended Mr. Peterson's life. They saw smoke coming out of his room and found upon investigation that the bed clothes were on fire and Mr. Peterson was dead. He was about 75 yrs old and no cause for the deed is known.

Interment was made in the Superior cemetery.

He leaves 2 daughters, one son and a brother in our neighborhood. Mrs. A. Beard and Mrs. J. H. Michael of Terril, and Ward Peterson of Spirit Lake. His brother is Nate Peterson of Raleigh.

Obituary from the Spirit Lake Beacon, 22 March 1907:

T. C. PETERSON SUICIDES

Snuffed Out His Life Wednesday Morning With a Revolver

Details of the above sad tragedy were received Wednesday morning from Terril.

This victim of self-destruction has been a respected farmer resident of southeast Dickinson for fifteen years, but recently has been having a home with his children. Two weeks since he left the home of his son War, two miles east of town, to visit at the home of his daughter, Mr. Henry Michael, five miles south of Superior, where the tragedy was enacted. The fatal shot was fired from a 38 caliber revolver at about 8:30 a. m., while the victim was yet in bed. The bullet pierced the heart and death was instaneous. Mr. Michael was at the barn and Mr. Peterson's room being remote from the living room, the shot was mistaken by the daughter for the slamming of a door, and some time elapsed before the startling discovery was made.

Deceased was seventy-seven years of age, in apparent good health and spirits and no motive is assigned for the rash act.

An inquest was held and the jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death by his own hand.

Six children survive, three sons and three daughters. Ward of this township, Joseph, of Watertown, South Dakota; Trumarn [sic], of North Dakota; Mrs. A. Beard and Mrs. Henry Michael, of Richland township, and a daughter residing at St. Joseph, Missouri.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Henry Michael home today at 11:00 a. m.