George A. Hayden 1890-1933

HAYDEN, MARSELL, CAMPBELL, SMITH, DITSWORTH, CARR, RUST

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/20/2011 at 22:06:42

George Hayden Commits Suicide Last Evening
Ill Health is Believed to Be Cause of Act
Does Not Leave Note of Explanation; Wife, Four Daughters Survive
Unable to bear up under the burden of ill health which threatened his ability to earn a living for his family, George Haydn, 43, took his own life last evening. The deed was committed in the yard of the Frizzell cottage at the corner of Lincoln and First streets where the family resides, with a 12 gauge short barreled shotgun of the single barreled type, which he placed in his mouth.

His wife and daughters had gone for a ride with her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Dan McGee. They had asked him to accompany them but at that time he was lying on the bed in the front bed room and declined to go with them saying that he thought that lying down would rest him more than the ride.

Mrs. D. O. Frizzell, next door neighbor was almost a witness to the act. She saw the body fall following the shot as she was sitting in the open kitchen window of her home next door to the Haydens at about nine o’clock.

It was almost dark and it was impossible to be sure if it were really a person but she recognized him instantly upon turning on the garage light. Mr. Hayden had evidently seated himself or stood at the small doorway on the west and at the front corner of the garage which is between the two houses. The shoe was off of the left foot but the length of the gun would not indicate that he had used his toe to pull the trigger.

Mrs. Frizzell hastened across the street and called Roy Meyers and J. G. Sheltren who were seated on their front door steps. These men called deputy sheriff Emlet Twito who brought Dr. C. E. Birney with him to the scene. Mr. Hayden was dead when they arrived.

Mr. Hayden leaves besides his wife four daughters Viviette, 18, a member of the class recently graduated from Estherville high school, Jean, 16, Bonnie, 14, and Joan, 3, five sisters, Mrs. Joe Marsell, Mrs. Guy Campbell, Mrs. Lou Smith, Mrs. Bert Ditsworth and Mrs. Mayme Carr of Estherville and one brother, John Hayden of Spirit Lake, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Hayden of this city. Another daughter Harriet passed away five years ago.

Mr. Hayden was born on the farm near Lone Rock, forty three years ago today. He resided in that community during his boyhood and young manhood coming to Estherville 16 years ago. He had been employed by the Wholesale Grocery company during his residence here and was held in high esteem by his employers.

The devotion of the deceased man to his family was marked and the shock of the tragedy is greater to them because of these ties.

There had been no indication that he had contemplated the act and the fact that he did not leave a farewell note would indicate that he may have reached the rash decision suddenly and without much premeditation.

Funeral arrangements are not complete as we go to press. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, June 8, 1933)

George Hayden Burial Services Held Sunday
Funeral services for George Hayden, 43, who took his own life on Wednesday evening, were held Sunday afternoon at two thirty from the Presbyterian church. Short prayer services were held at the home at two. Rev. A. G. Bailey was assisted by Rev. W. A. Winterstein in conducting the services. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, June 13, 1933)

Geo. Hayden Passed Away Wed. Evening By Own Hands
George Hayden, forty-three years of age, and an employee of the Estherville Wholesale Grocery Co., took his life last Wednesday evening just at dusk by placing the muzzle of a twelve gauge singe barrel shot gun in his mouth and pulling the trigger with his toe.

There seems to be no apparent reason for the shooting but his health has not been the best and he has seemed to be worrying about finances. The latter he has had not cause to worry about as he only had a very few minor debts that could have been taken care of. He did not leave a note to any of the family, giving the cause.

In the afternoon of the same day he talked to some of the employees of the Grocery Company along the line of life not being worth living. It was hard to get along these times, and there seemed to be no bright outlook for the future. One of the men told him to snap out of it and forget his troubles.

He went home as usual and in the evening relatives called for the family to go riding. While the family urged him to go with them, he refused. Parties who passed the house a very short time before said they saw him sitting in the house reading.

He evidently decided to do the act, took the gun at dusk, and went into the yard between the house and the garage. The reason for saying he probably pulled the trigger with his toe, is because his shoe was lying a few feet from where his body lay.

Mrs. D. O. Frizzell says she heard the shot as she was sitting by an open window in that part of the house. She looked quick enough to see him fall. She, at once, ran across the street to Sheltren’s oil station and notified them. Joe Sheltren called Deputy Sheriff Twito and Dr. C. E. Birney. Coroner Fred Sternborg was called at once, but owing to the fact that the case was plain suicide, no inquest was held.

George Hayden was a trusted employee and had worked his way up in service from a truck drive to a shipping clerk which position he had held for the past four years. He was beloved by all who knew him. He was a man of few words but always on duty and attending to every detail of his work.

He is survived by his widow and four daughters, his parents and one brother and five sisters.

The funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at two o’clock from the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Arthur G. Bailey officiating. Interment was made in Oak Hill Cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 14, 1933)

Mrs. Frank Rust and two sons, Billie and Bobbie, of South Bend, Ind., are spending several days here with Mrs. George Hayden and family. Mrs. Rust is a sister of Mrs. Hayden. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 14, 1933)

Out of town relatives and friends who came here Sunday to attend the funeral of George Hayden were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rust and two children of South Bend, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Florin Hunt, Mrs. Clara Hunt and Harold Hunt of Bancroft, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Olson of Burt, Mr. and Mrs. J. Dowden of Swea City, Mr. and Mrs. Will Leeper of Lone Rock, Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Hanshaw of Sac City, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Walston, Harry Farr, Miss Ethel Williard, the John Hayden family, Mrs. Mayme Karr, Mr. Ellwood and Leigh Castleman, all of Spirit Lake. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 14, 1933)