Robert L. Huston
DABNEY, HILLERMAN, HUSTON
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 3/13/2006 at 14:44:18
Earlham Library Obituary Collection
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF R. L. HUSTON IS KILLED BY SHOTS FROM A RIFLE
Former Earlham Citizen Residing in Winterset Meets Inexplicable Fate
Earlham people were shocked to hear Wednesday forenoon that R. L. Huston, of Winterset had been killed at five o’clock that morning by the discharge of a rifle. The circumstances of his tragic end are exceedingly vague. The facts of the matter are presented in the article from the Madisonian quoted below, but one can merely speculate upon the manner in which the shots were fired. The theory of murder is hardly reasonable, and Mr. Huston was therefore killed either by accident or by his own hand. The opinions of those who know the deceased the best incline to the theory of accidental death, although the general opinion tends toward the more sensational cause. But Mr. Huston was of a happy disposition and settled will power, his home relations were of the most pleasant character, and his financial circumstances were normal. In fact he was very cautious in money matters, and a hint of financial distress is scarcely tenable. It is hard to reconcile with the accident theory the fact that two shots were fired the first of which probably stunned Mr. Huston. But again it seems there could be no possible motive for suicide. We must pause in our opinion while we await a more conclusive examination by the authorities.
Mr. Huston was well known here and equally well liked. For five years he was associated with L. W. McBride in the implement business. Here. In February 1909 the business was sold to Mr. Early and Huston moved to Winterset later in the spring, where they have since lived. He has served during the period as cashier of the Winterset Savings Bank. The shock of his sudden death upon his family cannot but be profound. They have the sympathy of many Earlham friends.
The following thorough account of the tragedy we quote from the Madisonian:
All the evidence now at hand establishes the fact that two shots were fired at an interval of probably five minutes apart. The first bullet entered the lobe of the left ear, glanced along the skull and came out at the back of the head. The second entered the head almost at the center of the temple and lodged just beneath the skin at the upper base of the brain. Both wounds were powder burned showing that the muzzle of the gun had been close to the head when the shots were fired. The condition of the wounds, the empty cartridges and the position of the gun would support the suicide theory. On the other hand, Mrs. Huston cannot be shaken in the belief that her husband was murdered. Though heart broken and shocked almost beyond human endurance, she gave to friends all the information that might shed any light on the tragedy.
Mr. Huston had complained of feeling badly for two days, but attributed his discomfort to slight indigestion and neither expressed the least concern on that account. On Tuesday evening, they retired early. When the storm came up this morning, Mr. Huston was the first to awaken. He awakened Mrs. Huston and remarked that he thought a storm was coming and that they had better get up. He then went down stairs without dressing and she supposed for the purpose of looking after the windows or the chickens, which they raised extensively for the market. Soon aftgerwards, she heard the report of the rifle, but thought little of it and afterwards concluded it was a lightning report, which was quite severe by this time. She went down stairs a few minutes later and is positive she looked out the north kitchen window, and could see nothing of Mr. Huston.
When the second shot was fired, Francis, the 13 year old son, ran out doors and found his father lying on the ground. He was unable to speak and expired in a few minutes.
In the absence of the coroner, G. W. Seever’s, justice of the peace, summoned a coroner’s jury composed of M. L. Silliman, B. F. Bare and C. E. Seidler. After taking some testimony, the jury adjourned to meet again next week, which would indicate that they were not satisfied as to the manner of his death.
______________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, August 28, 1912
Page 1CASHIER HUSTON SHOT AND KILLED
Found in Door Yard, With Two Bullet Wounds in Head and Gun By His Side
Not for many years has Winterset been so profoundly shocked as when the news was passed this morning, that R. L. Huston, the cashier of the Winterset Savings Bank, was found dead in his own door yard with two bullet holes in his head. His rifle, a 25-30 caliber, lay at his side with one empty shell in the cartridge chamber and another empty shell was picked up a few feet away.
In the absence of the coroner, G. W. Seevers, justice of the peace, summoned a coroner’s jury, composed of M. L. Silliman, B. F. Bare and C. E. Seidler. After taking some testimony, the jury adjourned to meet again next week, which would indicate that they were not satisfied as to the manner of his death.
All the evidence now at hand establishes the fact that two shots were fired at an interval of probably five minutes apart. The first bullet entered the lobe of the left ear, glanced along the skull and came out at the back of the head. The second entered the head almost at the center of the temple and lodged just beneath the skin at the upper base of the brain. Both wounds showed powdery burns, showing that the muzzle of the gun had been close to the head when the shots were fired. The condition of the wounds, the empty cartridges and the position of the gun would support the suicide theory. On the other hand, Mrs. Huston can not be shaken in the belief that her husband was murdered. Though heart broken and shocked almost beyond human endurance, she gave to friends all the information that might shed any light on the tragedy.
Mr. Huston had complained of feeling badly for two days, but attributed his discomfort to slight indigestion and neither expressed the least concern on that account. On Tuesday evening, they retired early. When the storm came up this morning, Mr. Huston was the first to awaken. He awakened Mrs. Huston and remarked that he thought a storm was coming and that they had better get up. He then went down stairs without dressing, and she supposed for the purpose of looking after the windows or the chickens, which they raised extensively for the market. Soon afterwards, she heard the report of the rifle, but thought little of it and afterwards concluded it was a lightning report, which was quite severe by this time. She went down stairs a few minutes later and is positive she looked out the north kitchen window, and could see nothing of Mr. Huston.
When the second shot was fired, Frances, the 13 year old son, ran out doors and found his father lying on the ground. He was unable to speak and expired in a few minutes.
The tragedy is one of the saddest and is also the most mysterious. Rob Huston was a man of iron nerve and remarkably strong will power. This, with the absence of any motive to prompt self destruction, makes it impossible to believe that he ended his own life. His affairs at the bank are in good shape, he was in good financial circumstances, his home life was most happy. His disposition was that of cheerfulness and contentment. He was devoted to his family, consisting of his wife, one son, Francis, aged thirteen and one daughter, Anna May, aged four. His acquaintance was an extensive one, and hosts of friends deplore his sad death, and sympathize with the bereaved family.
--------------------------------------The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, September 4, 1912
Page 1Robert L. Huston was born in Polk county, Iowa, Sept. 14, 1869 and came to his death Aug. 28, 1912, aged 42 years, 11 months and 12 days. He went with his parents in 1873 to Kansas and returned in 1883 to Madison county, Iowa, where he has resided ever since.
He took a business course at Quincy, Ill. As a young man he taught school and clerked in stores. He was appointed deputy clerk of Madison county in 1896 which place he filled four years and afterwards was honored by his friends and party by being elected clerk of the district court of Madison county, which place he filled from 1900 to 1904.
Afterwards he engaged in farm for one year and then engaged in the implement business at Earlham. About three years ago, he came to Winterset and became book keeper in the Winterset Savings Bank, and about a year and a half ago, was elected as its cashier, which place he filled with honor to himself and help to his friends.
He was married in 1895 to Alice Hillerman of Winterset. To this union two children were born, Francis, twelve years old and Anna May, five years old. His mother died about 16 years ago. He leaves to mourn his tragic death, father and step mother of near Valley Junction, one sister, Mrs. G. H. Dabney of this county and three brothers, Walter of Menlo, Iowa, Earl C., of Burleigh, Idaho and Taylor W. of Valley Junction, all are living on farms.
He was a member of the Masonic lodge and also the Odd Fellows. He was a believer in God the Father and in Jesus Christ our Lord, and also in humanity. Thus we bury the body of a personal friend, a brother, a son, a kind husband and a good father.
Note: Burial in Winterset cemetery.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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