Conley, Joseph – d. 1913

CONLEY

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 9/9/2021 at 16:48:27

Joe Conley, 46 years old, a laborer at the coal mine of Blanford and Hannawalt east of town, committed suicide in the cellar of his little home in the east part of town about 12:30 p.m. last Friday, by shooting himself through the back part of his head with a shot gun. The cause is said to have been unrequited affection or unfaithfulness of the woman he loved; but as he had frequently threatened to take his life while a resident of Oswalt some years ago, there may have been other causes. The charge of shot penetrated his brain just under his right ear and shattered the top of his head. Death was instantaneous.
The body was taken to Cutter’s undertaking parlors and prepared for the funeral which was under the auspices of the miners’ local. Rev. Munyon, of the Christian church conducting the services at the grave at McKeever cemetery in Poweshiek township. Deceased has been married but he and his wife had been separated for some years, and his relatives – if he had any – failed to claim or care for his body.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Clipper; Thursday, December 18, 1913, page 12