Clarence Leete Wygle 1893-1921

WYGLE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/30/2012 at 14:12:52

County Agent Quits Fight
C.L. Wygle, Hustling Agent, Decided Life’s Battles Too Hard to Endure
Was a Popular Young Co. Agent
Was Over-Worked to Make Good on the Job Which at This Time is a Struggle
The citizens of Estherville, and the citizens of the entire county received a sudden, sad and severe shock when like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky came the announcement about twelve o’clock Sunday that County Agent Wygle had shot himself. The deed was committed while he sat at his office desk in the second room of the suite of offices of the Farm Bureau. Just what time he committed the act is not known but those who resided on that floor of the building and those in the Chas. Robinson store below say they heard the shot at about 9:30 that morning. The body was found by L.S. Fisher about noon and aid was called at once and a coroner’s inquest was held.

Mr. Wygle roomed at the Mrs. Dr. Anderson home with W.H. Belderman. They left their rooms together and went to Elden’s for breakfast. Mr. Balderman says there was nothing unusual happened, and the only difference in anything he did ws that he did not go for his Sunday morning paper. They parted about 9 o’clock, or a few minutes before. Mr. Belderman says Wygle had been blue for several days previous because the weather had not been the best and his work had been extra hard without the results it should have. Mr. Wygle held a meeting at Wallingford on Saturday evening and arrived home about twelve o’clock. On arriving home he told Mr. Belderman he believed he would give up the work as it was too hard for him, and he was tired out.

There was a report about that it was some love affair. There is nothing to this report as he received a letter on Sunday morning from the girl to whom he was engaged and it was of the most cheerful character and not one to make him downhearted. His accounts with the Bureau were in first class condition. He was well liked by everyone, and everyone had a good word for him. There was absolutely no single reason known for him committing this act except overwork, and worry over his work.

We have personally known and come in contact with Mr. Wygle for two years and we can safely say he was the most conscientious, hard working, painstaking and systematic young man we have ever come in contact with; always on duty morning, noon and night; had never a thought but for his work, and for the good of the cause of the farmers. The fact is if he had some diversions from this work, to have made life more pleasant for him he would have accomplished as much, and life would have been brighter for him. He lived in and for his work and seemed to be of the opinion that the burden of the farmers at this time rested on his shoulders. The fact is, had he realized what he was accomplishing in these times of distress, and realized the high esteem in which he was held by all, he could not have committed this deed.

On his desk he left a note saying to notify his mother at Clarksville and his sweetheart that he was better dead than insane, and this was his only message. They were notified at once and his parents and a brother arrived Sunday evening.

C.F. [L] Wygle Obituary
Clarence Leete Wygle was born at Clarksville, Iowa, June 5, 1893, and came to his death in Estherville, Iowa on October 9, 1921, at the age of 28 years, 4 months and 4 days.

He received a public school education in his home town and graduated from the Clarksville High School after which he had one year in Cornell College and then entered the State College at Ames where he took the course in animal husbandry from which course he graduated May 1, 1918. Immediately upon his graduation from college he volunteered for service in the United States army then engaged in the great war. He took the place of a sick man who could not himself go. Mr. Wygle was placed in an Officers’ Training Camp for three months after which he was sent to the front in France. When he was discharged from the service he held the rank of First Lieutenant. Returning home he spent a few weeks visiting with his family and friends and then took work on a farm where he remained until he came to Estherville the first of November 1919 to assume the position of County Agent under the direction of the Farm Bureau which position he held until his untimely death.

He was a hard worker, giving his time and strength without stint to the duties of his office and the work throughout the county. He held the highest esteem of his associates in the Farm Bureau and was highly respected by all who had made his acquaintance since his coming to Emmet county. He was active in American Legion work and was a member of the Young Men’s Sunday School class of the Presbyterian church.

He had given no intimation whatsoever to any one that he contemplated self-destruction. Evidently he suffered an attack of melancholy, an affliction which is little understood by those never suffering from its ravages. It was noted Saturday afternoon and evening that he was somewhat discouraged but even his closest associates never dreamed of such a tragic end as came Sunday morning n his office when all was ended in a moment. He had put in a hard week’s work holding township meetings and in preparation for a big drive for new members in the Farm Bureau. His friends are deeply pained at his untimely death. His family have the greatest sympathy from the whole community.

He leaves to mourn his going, his father and mother, two sisters and three brothers. Funeral services were held in the undertakers’ parlors on Monday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock after which the body was taken back to the old home where further services will be held in the Methodist Episcopal church where the family are accustomed to worship and where he was brought up in the Sunday school and church. The American Legion did all possible in conjunction with the Farm Bureau officials of the County to take care of the case and render help to the bereaved family. Pallbearers were selected from their number and beautiful flowers were brought by many of his friends and associates. Rev. J.W. LaGrone of the Presbyterian church had charge of the services here and Prof. Walter Pardun snag a beautiful song of consolation. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, October 12, 1921)