Rhyan, Charles (1887-1940)

RHYAN, ROYAL, BROWN, SIDLES, GREENWALDT, CAMPBELL, FOWLER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/11/2015 at 14:36:30

Daily Freeman Journal, Tuesday, September 24, 1940

WEBSTER CITY MAN FOUND DEAD IN CAR

IS BELIEVED TO HAVE ENDED LIFE WITH GAS

Arnold Sees Car, But Does Not Investigate Until Later

Charles Rhyan, 53, city, was found dead today in his automobile parked on a gravel road six miles southeast of here, apparently having ended his life with carbon monoxide gas, according to Dr. W. B. Lewis, county coroner.

Every indication led Dr. Lewis to believe death was caused by suicide, but the coroner said an inquest may be held.

The coroner's investigation revealed that all windows of the car were closed and that the exhaust pipe had been plugged tightly with part of a newspaper. Dr. Lewis also found that a hole had been punched in the muffler and a rock had been placed under the floor boards above it, raising them about two inches.

The fact that the ignition switch was turned on, the gas tank was empty and the battery run down were further indications pointing to suicide.

Rhyan apparently had been dead for more than 24 hours. His car was first seen by Arthur Philbrook, farm hand employed by Otto Arnold, yesterday forenoon.

Arnold said that he drove past the car yesterday afternoon, but didn't stop to investigate as no one appeared to be in the machine.

However, when he saw the car was still there this morning, Arnold went up to the machine and found Rhyan slumped over in the front seat. He notified authorities immediately and Coroner Lewis and Deputy Sheriff Gordon Cramer arrived about 10:30 a.m.

Relatives said that Rhyan was subject to hard coughing spells and it was believed at first that he had succumbed to one of those attacks.

When Rhyan failed to return to his home over the Super Maid café last night, his wife and relatives were not greatly concerned, for he was a feed salesman and was apparently in the habit of remaining away from home overnight.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Foster's in charge.

Rhyan was born Sept. 27, 1887, in Terre Haute, Ind., the son of James D. and Emma Rhyan. He came to Iowa when a young man, settling on a farm east of Webster City.

He was married to Bessie Royal here July 23, 1908, and they lived in this vicinity for several years before moving to Oakes, N.D. They lived there for 18 years, returning to Webster City in 1933.

Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Francis, Oakes, N.D., and four daughters, Mrs. Homer Brown and Mrs. Howard Brown, both of Cogswell, N.D.; Mrs. Roy Sidles and Mrs. Clarence Greenwaldt, of Roscoe, Cal.

He is also survived by a brother, Harrison, Independence, Mo., and two sisters, Mrs. Price Campbell, Lake Crystal, Minn., and Mrs. Guy Fowler, city, as well as 16 grandchildren.