Morton T. Blake, 1881-1904

BLAKE

Posted By: Constance, IAGenWeb Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/5/2018 at 14:58:36

The Argo,
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa
Thursday, 09 Mar 1904
Page 1 column three

MORTON T . BLAKE SUICIDES.
Drank Carbolic Acid and Ended His Life.
The Supposed Cause Was Overwork.

Morton T. Blake, at one time a resident of West Union but for the past several years cashier of the' bank at'Dunkerton, Iowa, drank carbolic acid Monday night about eleven o'clock and in fifteen minutes was dead.

Monday night he came home from the bank as usual, ate a hearty supper, and at 11 o'clock disrobed for bed where his wife had preceded him. Before retiring he went to the kitchen. His wife asked him what he was doing, and he made some reply. He then came in and retired. Mrs. Blake was immediately awakened by bis heavy breathing. This continued, and she arose and lit a lamp, when she discovered that, he was frothing at the mouth, and ijas suffering terrible agony. As she was unable to relieve him she ran for assistance, but his death occurred in a short time.

A tumbler was found in the kitchen, in which he had placed two ounces of crystallized carbolic acid with water, and had then swallowed half the contents. Why he took his life can scarcely be conjectured. The books of the bank are said to be in good shape. He was living happily with a young wife, and his prospects were good to climb the ladder of success. The only present theory is that he was overworked and became temporarily insane. While Mr. Blake was a resident of West Union he was deputy County Recorder under C.F. Chambers, and was afterwards connected with Mr. Chambers in the abstract business. He was well and favorably known, and had a host of friends who regret his sad end. He was in his twenty-third year. With crushing force does this sad calamity" fall upon his mother, who lost a husband two years ago, a daughter a year ago and now an only son. The funeral occurred at Dunkerton, Wednesday morning at 10:30, after which the remains were taken to West Union, where services and interment occurred Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Blake was exceptionally intelligent and his rapid advancement in the fields of business and finance was meteoric in its brilliancy. He was a fine penman,, a masterful mathematician
and capable in every line of business.

When the First National bank was organized there last summer he was naturally selected as cashier. In his position he has been courteous and obliging and has been popular with all who have had business to transact business over the bank's counters. His tragic and untimely death has occasioned great sorrow and the sole topic of conversation today is about the suicide and the causes leading up to it.

To a representative of the Daily Courier the wife told the circumstances surrounding the fatal act of her husband. There is no doubt that Blake took the acid while in a fit of temporary insanity, induced by overwork and too close attention to the business of the bank. Mrs. Blake said today that her husband had been ill for the past few days, but was cheerful and much better yesterday. On Saturday he was confined to the home and complained considerably. Yesterday he felt so much better that he was down town during the day and in the evening. Mrs. Blake, who had
been to a church service, walked home with her husband last evening. Some time previously Mr. Blake had asked where the carbolic acid was. Because there was so much sickness and fever about he said he wished to place some of the disinfectant about the rooms of the home. When the wife was ill last fall, some of the drug had been procured, but it had been misplaced, and could not be found. Then, it appears that he went down town last evening and secured a fresh quantity unbe-known to his wife.

The coroner's jury found that Mr. Blake came to his death while temporarily deranged, and the derangement was brought about through too close application to his duties, he never having taken a vacation since going to Dunkerton town years ago. The funeral, largely attended, was held from the home of Wm. Colby Thursday afternoon, Rev. Crowder officiating. Mr. Blake carried an insurance of $2000 on his life. The fact that he permitted a thousand dollar policy in the Northwestern to lapse only a few days before his tragic death shows that his rash act was not pre-meditated.