Shearer, Charles O. – d. 1885

LEEPER, SHEARER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 11/24/2021 at 13:12:47

Charles Shearer a son of H. J. Shearer, a farmer who resides 3 ½ miles south east of Prairie City, committed suicide by shooting himself with a shot gun, on Wednesday morning of last week. He and Miss Minnie Leeper were lovers but the parents of both opposed the marriage. Two letters were found upon his person, one of which read as follows:
Dear Father – When you read this I will be dead. Do not think that I am crazy; but know that life has no charms for me since I cannot marry the girl I love. If Henry or Jimmie should ever select for themselves life companions, do not oppose them, is the last wish of Charley.
The contents of the letter to Miss Leeper are known only to the poor girl herself and to Charley’s father. Miss Leeper is almost crazed with grief and horror over this, her second experience of this kind – her father having committed suicide while she was yet a child. The funeral was held on Thursday and the remains were interred in the Valeria(sic) graveyard. Universal sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family and friends, as well as for the poor girl Harley bore the reputation of a sober, orderly and gentlemanly young man and his death has cast a gloom over the community which will not yield place to the holiday gaiety.
Source: The Journal (Newton, IA); Wednesday, December 30, 1885