MORRISON, Walter C. 1886-1926

MORRISON, REYNOLDS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/28/2015 at 10:52:00

Walter C. Morrison Takes His Life While Despondent

Worry Over His Physical Condition Is Attributed As Cause Of His Act

Uses Small Gauge Shotgun

Was Down Town in the Afternoon, but Had Seemed Very Much Worried and Depressed

This community was terribly shocked when it became known that Walter C. Morrison, Cashier of the First National Bank, had taken his life at about 7:30 last Thursday evening by shooting himself with a small gauge shotgun. To all appearance death was instantaneous.

For several months Walter had been experiencing stomach trouble and last spring he had a very serious sick spell. He rallied from this, however, but the trouble bothered him considerably and last fall he went to Rochester, Minn., where he was operated upon, returning home about Thanksgiving time much improved.

He resumed his work in the bank and it was hoped that he had received permanent relief. but he did not regain his health as he had hoped he would, although he kept at his work up to the day of his death. He had on various occasions expressed himself to his intimate friends that he was discouraged and feared that he would never be a well person again. This is thought to have worked upon his mind until he could stand it no longer, and in a spell of extreme melancholy he determined to end it all.

Just before he committed the act he had retired for the night, Mrs. Morrison accompanying him to his room and fixed him up for the night, and she had but just left him and returned downstairs when he was heard to fall in the bathroom. He had taken the small shotgun from his son Kenneth's room, placed a shell in it, and placing the muzzle of the gun in his mouth fired it.

As soon as it was discovered what he had done, neighbors and doctors were summoned, but it was all too late.

Mr. Morrison had lived here practically all his life and was extremely popular among all classes. He was a man universally respected for his splendid, clean manhood, and it has frequently been said that he did not have an enemy in the world.

His death was wholly due to despondency, and not to any financial trouble in the least.

It was a terrible shock, not only to his family and relatives, but to the entire community where he was so widely known, and the sympathy of all goes out to the family and relatives.

That he was extremely popular was evidenced by the large concourse of people who turned out to the funeral held on Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church, the building being inadequate to hold the many who came to pay their last sad tribute to a departed friend.

The Masonic Order, of which Walter was an honored member, turned out in a body. Rev. F. O. Winslow, pastor of the M.E. church, spoke briefly of the departed and then the services were turned over to the Masonic Order. Mr. E. K. Greene coming from Clear Lake to officiate on behalf of the Masons.

Mr. Greene's address was that usually given at the grave of deceased Masons, but owing to the coldness of the day it was given at the church. Mr. Greene eulogized the life and character of the departed in a most appropriate address, and Rev. Winslow read the following sketch of Walter's life:

Walter C. Morrison was born at Morrison, Iowa, Aug. 15, 1886. After graduating from the Grundy Center High School he attended the Cedar Rapids Business College. On Oct. 23, 1907, he was married to Miss Mae Reynolds, of Grundy Center. One son, Kenneth, was born to them, and is a member of the High School Senior class at this time.

In 1908 Mr. Morrison was appointed deputy auditor at the court house and resigned this office in May, 1914, to take the position of assistant cashier in the First National Bank. In 1920 he was elected cashier and has since held that position.

He united with the Methodist church in 1912, and has been a faithful member during these years. Mr. Morrison was also a loyal and respected member of the Masonic lodge.

Some years ago, he was attacked by the disease which took so many lives when the influenza raged all over the land. This left him in impaired health, which finally became so serious that he was taken to the Mayo Hospital in Minnesota and underwent a most serious operation. Recovering from this, he returned home and at once resumed his work in the bank. It seems that there were indications of a return of his old trouble, and while he tried to take his place and do his duty to his home and business, the strain finally became too much for him. Walter was sick in body and mind. His suffering was greater than most of his friends knew, and so on Thursday evening, Jan. 21, 1926, the end came.

Walter was held in the highest esteem among the business circles. No blot or question in his business affairs. He will be missed in social and fraternal relations, and the church will miss his faithful attendance and co-operation, but most of all he will be missed in his home, where he loved most to be, for he was a devoted husband and father and a loyal, affectionate son to his parents.

There are left mourn his loss his wife, Mrs. Mae Morrison, and son, Kenneth, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Morrison; one brother, H. G. Morrison, of Petersen, Iowa; one sister, Mrs. P. C. Laybourn, of Long Beach, Calif., and a host of relatives and friends. To these sorrowing friends we extend our most heartfelt sympathy in this sad hour.

Following the funeral services at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, Walter was given a Masonic burial in the family lot in the cemetery west of town.

Those relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. John McWhirter and Mrs. Kate Weir, of Spencer, Iowa; Herbert Morrison, a brother, from Petersen, Iowa; John Shimer, of Forest City; Dr. and Mrs. McWhirter, Allison; Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Gray, Cedar Rapids; Miss Alice Shimer, Cedar Falls; Bert and Clem Shimer and Harold Miller and their families, of Morrison.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 28 January 1926, pg 1