Parker, Charles W. d. 1897

PARKER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/10/2005 at 06:48:06

The Newton (IA) Record Friday, October 1, 1897
Suicide of Chas. W. Parker ­ Drowns Himself In A Well
Temporary Insanity the Cause
A Shock to the Entire Community

Parker, Charles W.

Never has a community been called to pass through a series of more shocking and sorrowful events than has ours in the past two weeks each one seeming if possible more terrible than the one preceding it. The climax was reached yesterday morning, when the intelligence was brought to town that Charlie Parker had committed suicide during the night by drowning himself in a well on his farm about seven miles northwest of town. To those who have known Mr. Parker, it seemed incredible that he should commit such an act. He was a man of wealth, prosperous in his business, with every comfort that money could provide, and his domestic affairs most happy and harmonious.

For some time Mr. Parker has been feeling badly, complaining of pains in his spine which often extended to the back of his head, at which time he became melancholy and dejected in spirit. He had said to his friends some time ago, the he feared he was going to lose his mind, but they thought little of the matter until Wednesday. His wife noticed that he talked strangely­ referring constantly to his old home and his mother who died a few years ago. She was uneasy about him, and sent for his brother Edward, who came over to spend the night with them.

Their only daughter, Miss Jennie Parker, and Mr. Amos Herbold were to be married at the home on the following evening, Thursday, and the household had been busy in preparing for the happy event little dreaming of the terrible tragedy that would intervene. After supper he remarked that as they were all tired and expected to be up late the next night, they had better go to bed early and get their rest. He told his wife that, to prevent his disturbing her by his restlessness, he would sleep up stairs, and accordingly retired about 7 o’clock. Soon after going up to his room, he called his daughter Jennie who went up to him. He talked of her approaching marriage and told her he might not be there, but that the wedding and all the arrangements must go on just the same.

The family all retired soon afterward. Between midnight and one o’clock, the brother heard Mr. Parker in his room, and hastened to go to him; but as he stepped into the hall, Charlie darted down stairs and out of the door, disappearing in the darkness before Ed could intercept him. Neighbors were summoned to search for the missing man, and about 3 o’clock an old well was thought of, about a half a mile from the house; and upon reaching it, Mr. Parker’s pants were found on the ground where he had hastily thrown them, and the covering being gone from the well told too plainly the fate of the unfortunate man. The body was soon found and recovered. He had thrown himself head foremost into the thirteen feet of water below.

It is a crushing blow to the afflicted family, especially so under the existing circumstances, and the universal feeling of sympathy cannot lessen its terrible force. He leaves besides his widow, a daughter and a son. The marriage of the daughter and Mr. Amos Herbold, was quietly solemnized at 4 o’clock Thursday, by Rev. C. J. English, pastor of the M. E. Church at Colfax, just as the father had requested. A sad wedding, which had promised to be one of great rejoicing.

The funeral services were held at the home today at 1 o’clock, conducted by Rev. English, and the body of Mr. Parker laid to rest in the Newton Cemetery.

Deceased was about 49 years of age. He was a Christian man in the fullest sense, honored and respected by everyone.

Originally submitted on Sun Sep 15 19:47:48 2002