Asahel Read (1940)

BOWLSBY, JONES, LOWDEN, READ, SCOTT, YOUNG

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 7/1/2007 at 08:10:56

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 28, 1940
Page 1, Column 4

ATTACKS WIFE AND ATTEMPTS SUICIDE

Mrs. Asahel Read Escapes Insane Attack; His Condition Critical

Asahel Read, prominent farmer living near Peru, seriously injured his wife by beating her over the head with an iron rod last Thursday night, and is himself in critical condition as a result of attempting to take his own life after the attack on his wife.

The incident occurred at their farm home, where the couple was alone at the time. Sheriff A. E. Null, who was called to the scene by neighbors, said Read, who long has been one of the county's substantial citizens, had evidently committed the attack in a fit of violent mental derangement.

Mrs. Read told officers of having been suddenly attacked by her husband as she sat by the fire in the living room of their home. She had removed her shoes and stockings, preparatory to retiring, and glanced up in time to see him aiming a blow at her head. She threw her hands up to protect her head, an action which probably saved her life, for she was beaten over the head with an iron end-gate rod, until it was bent into the shape of the letter S.

When his wife fell unconscious, Read turned out the lights and went into the kitchen, where he used two butcher knives to slash his throat and wrists and stab himself in the abdomen.

When Mrs. Read recovered consciousness, she crawled into her bedroom and attempted to lock the door. She then opened a window, crawled out and walked bare-footed through the snow to a neighbor's house a half mile away. The neighbor brought her promptly to the Winterset hospital and then called Sheriff Null. Null and Deputy Charles Neidt went immediately to the Read home, where they found Mr. Read unconscious. He was also taken to the Winterset hospital.

Mr. Read--------recovery at first, but his attending physician now reports that he does have a chance although his condition is still critical. Mrs. Read is recovering from severe head bruises and lacerations and a hand that was badly mangled by the blows of the rod.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, April 3, 1940

ASAHEL READ DEATH OCCURRED SUNDAY

Funeral Services Held Tuesday With Burial in Union Chapel Cemetery

Death came to Asahel E. Read of near Peru Sunday, at the State hospital in Clarinda, where he had been taken from the Winterset hospital several weeks ago. Attending physicians there reported he succumbed to pneumonia. He was 61 years of age.

Mr. Read was long one of the county's most respected citizens. The son of Thomas and Ann Elizabeth Read, he ws born in Scott township on Jan. 31, 1878. Most of his life was spent on the old homestead.

On Nov. 29, 1905, he was married to Mary Jane Jones. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Read died July 23, 1917.

On Sept. 26, 1918, he was married to Edith May Scott. They were the parents of one son.

He is survived by his wife; his aged mother; two daughters, Mrs. Kathryn Young and Mrs. Jessie Young; four sons, Nelson Read, Dwight of Broadwater, Neb., Raymond Read and Maurice Read; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Lowden and Mrs. Anna H. Bowlsby; and 16 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held from the Ramsey-Richards funeral home Tuesday, in charge of the Rev. J. R. McNichols, pastor of the Methodist church. Burial was made in the Union Chapel cemetery.

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