Passmore, William died 1903

PASSMORE

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 5/4/2015 at 21:06:33

Dubuque Daily Globe June 10, 1903
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WEALTHY FARMER HUNG HIMSELF
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William Passmore of Guthrie County
Was Found Dead in His Barn
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Guthrie Center, June 9, William Passmore, a wealthy farmer, living about three-quarters of a mile northeast of this place, was found dead yesterday morning in a barn, hanging from a rafter, with a common horse collar around his neck. The body was found around 6 o’clock and was quite warm. It is thought that Mr. Passmore committed the deed between the hours of three and six. About three o’clock, Mrs. Passmore heard her husband getting up, but soon dropped off to sleep without feeling any alarm, awakening about 6 o’clock. At that hour a search was instituted and the body was found hanging to the rafter. On the head was a terrific gash which had been made with an ax, and it was thought that Passmore first struck himself in the head with an ax, but finding that he was unable to deal himself sufficient blow to cause death finished the work of self destruction by hanging. A coroner’s jury was once impaneled and the verdict was that Passmore came to his death by his own hand.

Passmore leaves a wife and five children. He was a man about 55 years of age and for some months had been regarded as mentally unbalanced on account of impaired health. The Passmores moved into this part of the state about eleven months ago, coming here from Audubon, where they had lived for years. Mr. Passmore leaves an estate which is estimated at about $35,000.