William F. Woolery (1892)

WOOLERY, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 12/31/2007 at 08:30:43

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
January 15, 1892
Page 2

County and City

The suicide of young Woolery has caused considerable discussion in the community of the causes which would bring about a state of mind ----- a person to self-destruction. There seems to be a growing opinion that no sane man would commit suicide. The courts seem to have taken this view in holding that a life insurance policy can not be forfeited by the suicide of the holder.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
January 15, 1892Page 7

A SAD END OF LIFE

Suicide of William Woolery, of Madison Township

Mr. Woolery, though Still Young, had Become Enfeebled and Despondent

Sudden death is always a severe shock to a family and friends. But when it comes from the indiction of the fatal stroke upon one’s self the shock is doubly severe. Few, if any of the consolations that come from the consciousness of tender care and affection in the ministry to the last sufferings of the loved one, can remain to the mourning relatives in such a case. Hard feeling can not and dare not be entertained, but the grief of such a parting is none the less poignant because of the blackness of the way the departed one has chosen to tread. Perhaps it is not always strictly correct to say chosen, for in most cases, especially such one as that of William Woolery, who on Saturday last, took his own life, the mental conditions have become so deranged as to materially lessen the degree of accountability for actions which people ordinarily must bear.

Mr. Woolery was a young man about 26 years of age, living on his farm near the south side of Madison township. He committed suicide at his home, Saturday, about eleven o’clock. The circumstances as near as we can ascertain, are about as follows:

Ever since childhood, Mr. Woolery has been afflicted with epilepsy, which seemed to have affected his mind to a degree that at times caused him to be easily disturbed, and when discouraged had threatened to take his life, and had remarked that the gun was the surest and quickest way to end one’s life.

Mr. Woolery has been doing his work and taking care of his father’s stock, the elder Mr. Woolery being sick. On the morning of the fatal tragedy Mrs. Woolery expressed a desire to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Smith, living south of Winterset. The husband objected on account of the severity of the weather and his duties, which required him to remain at home. Mrs. W. offered to go alone, and finally decided to embrace an opportunity and ride in with some of the neighbors. Matters remained thus while he went out and did his father’s chores. Upon his return home he asked his wife if she was still of the same opinion, and upon being answered in the affirmative, he said that he would hitch up a horse for her, but that when she came back she would not find him as when she left. Then he stepped into the closet or pantry, shut the door, and in a few moments there was heard the report of a gun, and the wife rushed to the door and tried to get it open, but could only partially succeed on account of his body having partially fallen against it. She then left the house and ran a quarter of a mile to his father’s house, and informed the family that William had shot himself; she then returned accompanied by her sister-in-law, Miss Irene Woolery. Together they succeeded in prying the door off its hinges and bringing the prostrate form of husband and brother out into the room. The scene presented was terrible. The man had from all appearances placed the muzzle of a shot gun on the right side of his head in front and above the ear, and holding it out by his right hand had pulled the trigger, causing the discharge of the load, which passed obliquely upward, scattering the brain and the blood over the floor of the closet and its contents, the load buring itself in one of the shelves. He lived about an hour, when all signs of life became extinct. Neighbors soon arrived. J. W. Hill, J. P. of Earlham, came down, empaneled a jury and held an inquest. Verdict: “Came to his death from the effects of a gun shot wound, inflicted by his own hand.”

Monday his body was laid to rest in the Baptist cemetery north east of Winterset, where his mother was buried about twenty years ago, and his step-mother only last fall.

Mr. Woolery leaves a wife but no children. He had been married something over a year.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
January 22, 1892
Page 1

Worthington

Doubtless every community on the globe at some time is able to receive a shock, but no one would have believed that the quiet, peaceful community of Worthington would soon be disturbed by a shock, until the sad news that Wm. Woolery had committed suicide was heralded throughout the neighborhood. It was so sudden, so unsuspected by all. From the circumstances surrounding the case it is impossible to claim it as an accidental shooting, yet some hold that this might be possible. Nothing was left by the deceased that would explain the cause of this rash act.

William Woolery or Willie as he was more familiarly known among his friends was agreeable, kind and highly esteemed among his friends and among those with whom he had associated. Although not a church member, Willie was honest and upright, and seemingly endeavored to live as his Master directed.

Willie leaves a young wife to whom he was married just thirteen months the day that he took his life.

The sympathy of the whole community is extended to the bereaved wife and relatives.

Note: Burial was made in the Primitive Baptist cemetery.

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