Phillip M. Boyles (1885)
BOYLES
Posted By: Ida Morse
Date: 8/26/2007 at 14:31:31
Winterset Madisonian & Chronicle
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, September 10, 1885
Page 5, Columns 1 & 2A Sad Ending of Life
Last Friday evening, Sept. 4th, our community was thrown into the greatest excitement by the announcement that Philip M. Boyles had committed suicide by hanging. The report was too true, but it was hard to realize it. A few hours before the sad event he was upon our streets, indeed we believe he spent the whole afternoon in town.
The circumstances attending the mournful event we gather from the evidence from the coroner’s inquest given by members of the family. Mr. Boyles returned from town to his home (a mile northeast of Winterset) at about half past four in the afternoon. After eating supper and doing a little work around the house he was seen no more. It was supposed by the family that he had lain down on the lounge as he was in the habit of doing. About 6 o’clock two men stopped at the house to ascertain if they could remain over night.
Mrs. Boyles sent one of her daughters to ask Mr. Boyles. She reported her father was not on the lounge. Mrs. Boyles was then fearful something was wrong and went to an upstairs room to see if he was there. The door was locked. Calling help it was broken open and Mr. Boyles was found dead, hanging beside the bed with the necktie which had produced strangulation around his neck. It is thought there were a few heartbeats after he was taken down.
Medical help was sent for and every effort made to restore him, but it was too late. The family think he was not missing over half an hour. He had taken a necktie, tied the ends together and made a noose, then hanging one end over a low bedpost he had inserted his head and bending his knees his weight produced strangulation.
It is hard to imagine what could have induced the act. He was of a cheerful disposition, had hosts of friends, was in easy circumstances. But for the last year or so his health had been impaired. His right eye and arm and hand had troubled him considerably and he was fearful that might end in paralysis; then, as his wife testified, before the inquest, he had told her several times lately that he did not believe his mind was right, added to this possibly other causes, we suppose he could not have been entirely himself when he decided to end his earthly anxieties by taking the course he did.
Uncle Philip, for so we like to call him, was past 62 years of age. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, June 5, 1823. In 1839 he removed with his parents to Elkart county, Indiana, and in 1843 he went to Andrew county, Missouri. In 1844 he and the present Mrs. Boyles were married. In May 1846 he moved to this County, entered the land on which he has lived continuously until his death. He leaves a widow, three sons and four daughters.
Uncle Philip has always been an active citizen. He assisted in the location of Winterset and was of the surveying party which laid out the lots. He participated in the organization of the county and at the first election in 1849 he was elected commissioner’s clerk. He has been recorder and coroner of the county.
Uncle Philip was kindhearted almost to a fault. Never was a sorrow that he could assuage that he passed by; never was there deserving need but his hand and purse were ready to lighten it. He was the soul of honor. No man can say he ever wronged him in either word or deed. No one had a greater contempt for a mean or dishonorable act. And he is gone - never was there to us a sadder death.
Uncle Philip enlisted as a member of Company A, 39th Iowa, August 12, 1862, and he was discharged September 9, 1863 at Corinth, Miss. He was a good soldier and did duty as second sergeant until health failed him. He then went to the hospital, but he could not be idle and he acted as nurse; one a little stronger he was placed in charge of an ambulance, but he had to come home, and from that day to his death he has not been a well man.
An immense concourse attended his funeral on Sunday. His late comrade in arms to the number of 80 preceded the hearse as escort. There were 114 vehicles in the procession and hundreds on foot went to the cemetery.
A soldier’s meeting was held at the Post Hall Friday and it appointed a committee consisting of G. A. Turbett, W. C. Newlon and Leroy Wilson to prepare suitable resolutions. B. F. Bowlsby, Porter Rallston, J. F. Brock,. F. Connoran, W. L. Leonard and H. J. B. Cummings (all members of the regiment to which he belonged) were selected to act as pall bearers.
Peace to his ashes, long-lived his memory; another grave is raised for us to make green Memorial day.
_________________________Winterset Madisonian & Chronicle
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, September 10, 1885The funeral of P. M. Boyles was one of the largest ever held in this city. There were one hundred and fourteen vehicles, twenty three horsemen and eighty old soldiers on foot.
Winterset Madisonian & Chronicle
Winterset, Iowa
Saturday, September 19, 1885There were 80 old soldiers in the escort of the body of P. M. Boyles Sunday. They represented the following regiments. Where no arm is mentioned infantry is intended: Iowa 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, 15th, 17th, 22d, 23d, 2_th, 33d, 34th, 36th 39th, 47th, cavalry 1st, 4th, 8th, battery 2d, 4th; Illinois 7th, 10th, 12th, 52d, 57th, 88th, 113th, 123d cavalry 3d, 15th; Ohio 11th, 16th, 20th, 46th, 69th, 76th, 83d, 90th, 132d, 176th, 185th; Indiana 50th, 53d, cavalry 3d; Missouri 8th; Pennsylvania 40th, 85th, cavalry 4th, 22d; Tennessee 5th, United States 15th. The 39th infantry had the largest representation but there were only 8 of them present. True, a number from that regiment as well as other regiments were in the line of carriage.
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