Wesley Thomas Ford (1901)

FORD, SMITH

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 11/16/2006 at 17:23:12

Winterset Madisonian
February 14, 1901
Page 1

ANOTHER SUICIDE

Wesley Ford, of Jackson Township, Ends His Own Life.

The Dead was Committed Shortly Before 11 o’clock Wednesday Forenoon, February 13, 1901.

Word reached the city yesterday that Wesley Ford, a well-to-do farmer of Jackson township, had committed suicide. The details seem to be about as follows: His actions for a few weeks past were so unusual that his wife, and uncle, Fletcher Ford, who was making his home with him, suspected his intention and were watching. During the forenoon he went out to water some hogs. He then started toward the house, but about 11:45 escaped from the sight of his wife and uncle for about twenty minutes. During that short time he ended his life. He went to the feed way of the cow barn, and taking a rope, made a noose, which he put around his neck, and wrapped the other end seven or eight times around an over-head beam, without tying, made ready for the fatal fall. A few minutes later his wife opened the door and saw the lifeless body suspended from the rope. She ran at once for assistance to the neighbors, while Fletcher Ford took down the body and attempted resuscitation, but his efforts came too late. It was nearly noon before help could be found to carry the word to relatives. Most of the men were either at the Lemuel Banker funeral, or had gone to the Dement sale. His brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Smith, had gone to Winterset, and word reached them here, and information was at once sent to all relatives hereabouts and in the other states.

Mr. Ford was a son of I. S. Ford, of this city, and grew up from early boyhood in this county, in Douglas township, a short distance south of Stringtown. He became a prosperous farmer, having recently completed a commodious residence, and evidences of thrift were all about. He owed nothing, and, so far as material matters go, was able to look the whole world in the face. Last December he was seriously sick with the grip; and while he recovered physically, it left his mind affected and his actions caused his family to be on the watch. It is not known whether or not he observed their solicitude, but if he did, in his mental condition, it would only tend to make him more despondent.

It is a sad case in which his family and other relatives are entitled to and will receive the most sincere sympathy.
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Winterset Reporter
Thursday, February 14, 1901
Page 3

HUNG HIMSELF

Wesley Ford a Farmer of Jackson Township Commits a Rash Act

Word was received here Wednesday shortly after noon that Wesley Ford a farmer living in Jackson township had committed suicide by hanging himself. It seems that Ford, for sometime has been sick, melancholy, and somewhat demented, so much so that, at times his wife suspicioned that he was not in his right mind. On the morning above mentioned he went out to feed the hogs and the wife thinking that he was gone longer than usual and not seeing him about went out and on going to the barn she found her husband, with a rope around his neck, he had jumped from a buggy that was in the barn. He was removed to the house and the neighbors notified. The deceased is a son of I. S. Ford of this city. No children survive him.
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Winterset Reporter
February 21, 1901
Page 1

Obituary

Wesley Thomas Ford, son of I. S. and Elizabeth Ford, was born at Indianapolis, Indiana Nov. 20th, 1844, and died February 13th, 1901, in Jackson township, Madison county, Iowa, being at the time of his death 51 years 2 months and 13 days old.

He with his parents came to Davis county, Iowa in September 1854, and thence to Madison county, Iowa, in March 1862. On the 23rd of December 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarrah E. Harrell, and they have since lived on the farm where he died. He was converted when a boy and united with the Stringtown M.E. church, and he has continued a faithful and consistent member of the same until his death.

The funeral services were conducted at West Star church Sunday, February 17th, and the remains interred in Rock City cemetery.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, February 21, 1901

Wesley Ford, one of the oldest citizens in Jackson township, and a son of I. S. Ford of Winterset, committed suicide while temporarily insane on Wednesday morning. Ford had been suffering from the grip for several weeks and his mind was affected.

Wednesday morning he did his work about the house and barn, and after breakfast went back to the barn. Not coming back to the house, his wife went to look for him but could not find him. She went back to the house supposing that he had gone out to the field or elsewhere and thought nothing of it. Soon after an uncle of Ford’s who was staying with them asked her if she had found Wesley, and receiving a negative replay said he would go and look for him. He went first to the barn and then to the cow shed, where he found him hanging by a rope to a beam overhead. The man was dead and had probably been hanging there for at least an hour.

Ford had been in ill health for some time and his relatives were uneasy about him. He was determined to make his will, and last Saturday while in town he went to Major Gilpin’s office to have the instrument made out. Major Gilpin was too busy to attend to it and it was put off until another day.

Mr. Ford was a man in good circumstances, owning a fine farm and having no debts. He had the respect and confidence of all his neighbors.------Winterset News.

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