Patterson, Claude – d. 1916

PATTERSON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:32

Claude Patterson Suicides
Hangs Himself in the Barn of James Price by Whom He Was Employed
No Motive Known For Rash Act
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Patterson, Live in Baxter – Had Made Attempt Before
Thursday evening Claude Patterson, who had been working for James Price since March 1st, left the house about eight o’clock in the evening and went to the barn. Before going he remarked to the girl that he did not want his things given to anyone but his father.
At the time she did not understand just what he meant. As he did not return to the house, about an hour and a half later Mrs. Price went to the barn and found his body hanging from the hay fork track. He had climbed up and tied the rope and then adjusted the other end around his neck and jumped off, falling a distance of about eighteen feet. The body was brought to the Cutter undertaking parlors from whence it was removed to the family at Baxter Friday afternoon.
There seems to be no one who has been able to give any motive for his rash act. He was at one time married but marital troubles arose and he and his wife were divorced. As this happened some time ago, there is probably no connection between his act and this former trouble. There must have been something, however, that caused some brooding as we understand he has made other attempts to end his life, but they were unsuccessful. The coroner was called, but as the case was undisputed suicide, he considered it unnecessary to hold an inquest.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Clipper; August 3, 1916