LEWIS, John O. (1862-1915)

LEWIS

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 1/30/2014 at 14:14:43

Ex Treasurer Of Hancock Co. Kills Himself

John O. Lewis, Prominent Garner Man, Took His Own Life This Morning.

Self Destruction Was Planned For Some Time

While Twin Daughters, Who Graduated From High School Last Night, Were at Class Breakfast, He Took His Own Life.

Special to The Globe Gazette

Garner, May 29 - The people of this city were shocked today by a lamentable tragedy at the home of John O. Lewis, former county treasurer, who took his own life at 8 o'clock this morning, shooting himself in the head with a revolver.

Evidence multiplied in an investigation of the case that he had contemplated the deed for a number of days, but postponed the unfortunate action till after his twin daughters Ruth and Naomi could graduate from the high school, which occurred last evening.

This morning as they with others of the graduating class were enjoying a breakfast tendered at the Spayde home by Harold Spayde, one of the class; the two young women happy in the celebration of having reached the long looked for goal of graduation, were apprised of the event and the party immediately dispersed out of respect and sympathy for their classmates.

The decedent was one of the most popular men in Hancock county. He had held the office of county treasurer for two terms, retiring just last January, and was so popular that the news of the tragedy shocked everybody. Financial difficulties are alleged to be the cause of his rash act and it was reported this morning shortly after his death that he was worrying about the recent examination made by the state examiner of his office. It was also said that he carried heavy life insurance and owned a large farm near Crystal Lake and could have made any shortage good. He leaves besides the twin daughters, two other daughters and a wife, who have the deepest sympathy of the entire community.

Report Not Public

J. C. Hastings, county attorney of Hancock county, said this morning that he could at this time make no statement as to whether the state checkers had discovered anything wrong in the conduct of the county treasurer's office under the administration of Mr. Lewis.

Their report, Mr. Hastings said, had not yet been made public by the department in charge of such matters, and for that reason he could say nothing up on the subject.

Despondent for Days

The tragedy was not wholly unexpected by the family for Mr. Lewis had been very despondent and disconsolate for some days, ever since he returned from Montana, there he had gone in what proved to be a fruitless effort to obtain employment in a bank in that state.

His state of mind had been such that his wife had hidden all the weapons which ordinarily had been in the house, and where he got the revolver with which he shot and killed himself appears uncertain.

Daughter Just Leaving

Miss Sarah Lewis, a daughter who has been working in Mason City at the abstract office of Kimball & Hayes, was just leaving the house to go to the train at the time. Her father came down stairs, and asked her if she was leaving for Mason City, and on being answered in the affirmative, returned to his room.

Miss Sarah was just leaving the house when the shot that ended her father's life rang out.

source: Mason City Globe Gazette 1 Jun 1915 page 5