Robert Nelson McDonald (1954)

MCDONALD, BURD

Posted By: Treva Patterson (email)
Date: 8/6/2007 at 18:52:13

Winterset Madisonian-Winterset, Iowa
July 28, 1954; p. 1

NELSON MCDONALD TAKES OWN LIFE

Farmer at Douglas Center Shot Self Sunday Evening

Nelson McDonald, a well-known resident of the Douglas Center community, shot himself to death at his farm home there Sunday night. He was 39 years of age.

McDonald was not married and lived alone just west of Douglas Center. His body was found early Monday morning by a neighboring relative, Wayne McDonald, who went to investigate when he noticed that the lights had been burning all night.

County Coroner Paul Eggleston and Sheriff C. A. Letz investigated the death. Eggleston said Tuesday that he would file a report of suicide. McDonald had written a note to his mother, which was found near the body, in which he apologized for his action.

Robert Nelson McDonald was born in Douglas township of this county on March 6, 1915, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom McDonald. With the exception of four years in Minnesota and his service in the U. S. Army during World War II, he spent his life in Douglas township.

He spent four years in military service during the war.

His father died in 1920, and infant sister, Doris, also preceded him in death. He leaves his mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Cap Burd of Winterset.

Funeral services were set Wednesday afternoon from the Richards funeral home, conducted by the Rev. Earl Travis, with burial in the Winterset cemetery.