Henry Pitman Commits Suicide-1895

PITMAN, BAKER, DEAN

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 4/2/2020 at 19:04:32

Cascade Pioneer, published in Cascade, Iowa on Friday, August 2nd, 1895

THE ROPE ROUTE
~
Henry Pitman Goes to the Better Land
Instead of England
~
Farley had a suicide sensation Sunday morning, says the Dubuque Herald. A young man named Henry Pitman, who had been contemplating a trip to England; changed his mind and hung himself. Pitman was about 30 years of age and was a native of England. He came here about ten years ago and has been working on a farm about 5 miles from Farley. He intended returning to England and had purchased a ticket. He was to accompany a family names Dean, and they intended to leave Saturday, but for some reason the start was postponed until Monday. Saturday evening Pitman went to stay with Watson Baker, a neighboring farmer who was to take them to the depot Sunday morning. Pitman arose with the others and assisted in feeding the stock and doing the chores. Dean and Baker then started to drive to a creamery leaving Pitman to await their return. When they came Pitman was not in sight. They began making preparations to go to the depot, and Dean went up into the loft to get the extra seat for the buggy. There he found Pitman hanging lifeless from a rope attached to the rafters. Coroner Gregorie was notified and held the inquest Sunday afternoon. The remains were interred yesterday morning at Farley. The deceased was a single man, industrious and saving, and had no bad habits. His friends are at a loss to account for his actions. He has lately been subject to melancholies, but never complained of any trouble to his friends.

His only relatives in this country are two brothers, one at Johns Creek and the other in California. His parents are alive in England, and were looking forward to the return of their son. The news of the suicide will be a sad blow to them.