Stall, Riley

STALL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/3/2007 at 08:26:16

Maquoketa Record
December 30, 1907

Shuffled Off.

On Saturday just before noon the dead body of Riley Stall was found in a closet in the Town Clock building, a deep gash under the right ear inflicted by a razor in his own hand, which severed the jugular vein and death must have been sudden. He left a note upon his person saying that he was tired of life, no one cared for him and bidding all goodby. He leaves a mother in this city and a wife from whom he had parted a few months ago. He was a young man, but addicted to the use of cigarettes and intoxicating liquors and this tragedy has ended for him as it does so many others who travel at the pace that kills. The poor fellow is another victim of our business system that permits these things in the name of personal liberty, but really for the money there is in it. Would that his self inflicted fate would deter other young men now on the downward road to turn back and seek safety before it becomes to late. Would that his tragic death might awaken this community to a sense of its obligations to society and other young men whose lives are doomed to end in misery and disappointment if conditions are to remain as they are.