WALKER, Dennis E. 1858-1922

WALKER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/10/2016 at 22:30:23

Dennis E. Walker

Iowa Falls Sentinel: Dennis E. Walker, aged past 64 years, who for a number of years had been a resident of Iowa Falls, took his own life in the Foster grove just west of the cemetery shortly after 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, Nov. 8th, 1922. The body was discovered lying on a hillside, by Guerdon Nichols, and the unfortunate man was not dead at the time, altho a bullet from a 38-calibre revolver had passed completely thru his head. He died before a physician arrived.

Despondency is believed to have been the cause of the action. It is thought that it was premeditated, as a letter to his children was found in his possession, which seemed to indicate that he had contemplated the deed since Sept. 20 of this year. This letter asked that his children forgive him if they thought that he did any wrong.

Mr. Walker resided at the William E. Johnson residence at 311 Cedar Street. He got up Wednesday morning and was apparently feeling in the best of health. He ate a good breakfast, shaved, read the morning paper and discussed the election with other roomers at the place, and then went out for a walk which was his usual custom nearly every morning. On these walks he usually went in the vicinity of the cemetery or along the river west of the city.

It was only about a month ago that Mr. Walker returned to Iowa Falls from a visit with a son in the state of Washington. His health had not been the best since his return from that visit, and it was noticed by his friends that he was subject to fits of despondency. Just what the nature of his trouble was is not certain. A number of persons in the city conversed with him on the day before his death and he seemed to be in good spirits.

Mr. Walker was born in the year 1858. His former home was at Grundy Center, where he lived many years. Later he moved to a farm south of Alden, and still later to Iowa Falls. He was employed in this city for a time as driver for J. A. Harp and others. It is understood that he recently accepted a position as assistant to the janitor at Ellsworth college, which work he was to have begun Wednesday.

The deceased was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows lodge. He is survived by the following children: Tom Walker, Grand Island, Neb.; Mrs. Susan Robins, Kirsimuier, Atla., Canada; Glenn Walker, Lynndale, Wash.; Clayton Walker, of Washington state; and Dilver Walker, of Buckeye. The son at Buckeye is agent of the Rock Island railroad.

The funeral services will be held at the Wilbur undertaking parlors Friday morning at 11 o'clock, Rev. C. E. Cushman, pastor of the Congregational church, officiating. The remains will be shipped to Grundy Center for burial.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 November 1922, pg 8