CARLSON, Peter August 1853 - 1916

CARLSON, BOWERMASTER, LARSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 6/8/2021 at 21:03:50

"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Monday, October 2, 1916
Page 2, Column 2

PETE CARLSON HANGS SELF IN LONELY SPOT

Swinging from the end of a quarter inch rope, fastened to the branch of a fallen tree, in the Fulton timber west of the city, the body of Pete CARLSON was found Sunday morning. The body was discovered about ten o'clock by Claude Fleagle, Frank Simmons, and Clyde and Glen Burrows, boys of about fourteen years of age who were gathering walnuts. That Mr. CARLSON's death was suicidal, all indications point out.

After the discovery of the body the boys immediately returned to the city and Sheriff Shan Campbell and Coroner Tallman was notified. These officials were soon on the scene and after an examination of the surroundings and body, it was cut down. A sum of money, over forty dollars, was found in the trouser pockets, while receipts and other papers were in a pocket of the overcoat which was about the body.

From all appearances the deed had been carefully planned. An iron ring had been tied to one end of the rope, fastened by a doubleknot, and a noose formed by passing the other rope end through this. It was securely tied to the branch and extended down about two feet. The tree was a large dead one, having been cut some time ago as a bee tree and the limb was about ten feet from the ground. From appearances Mr. CARLSON must have climbed out to the forking branches of the limb and, after adjusting the noose, jumped off. His neck was broken; otherwise the body showed no discoloration, except about the ankles and feet.

After viewing the body Coroner Tallman decided an inquest was unnecessary, as all indications pointed to suicide. It is stated Mr. CARLSON had recently intimated to persons that he intended to take his life, and to one stated, "They'll find my body hanging in the north pasture." The deed was undoubtedly committed Friday, as the papers in the pockets of the overcoat were wet from the heavy due (sic - dew) of the creek bottom land. He is said to have been going in a westerly direction Thursday morning with a rope in his pocket. Further evidence of a premeditated act is brought out by the statement of a companion on a trip to Ottumwa Monday, that while on the train he met a Fairfield attorney and had a will as regarded his property, drawn up.

The body was brought to the city and taken to the Davies' undertaking rooms and prepared for burial.

Mr. CARLSON was 64 years old and had acted queerly for some time, using considerable intoxicants.

He is survived by a daughter in Montana, and one, Mrs. Larkin BOWERMASTER, in Wyoming, also one other daughter at home and son Carl. The funeral service will be held from the family residence on Washington street at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in the Public Grounds Section of Evergreen Cemetery, in Row 5, Space 4. He was born November 14, 1853, and died September 29, 1916. His wife was Inga Elisa Augusta LARSON CARLSON, who died in 1945 and is buried next to him in Space 5.

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Contributed by Joy Moore, 8 June 2021 --

"Cresco Plain Dealer"
Friday, October 20, 1916
Page 10, Column 2

IOWA NEWS BRIEFS

... The body of Peter CARLSON, aged 65, of Fairfield, was found hanging to the limb of a tree. ...