Arlington “Arthur” Edwards (1924)
EDWARDS
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 5/7/2017 at 08:52:31
Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 1, 1924
Page 1, Column 5ARTHUR EDWARDS TAKES OWN LIFE
Uses Shotgun, and Dies Almost Instantly
Arthur Edwards, who lived just north of Lorimor, committed suicide on Friday evening, about 8:30 by shooting himself through the neck with a shotgun, dying almost instantly. His wife and son, who were in the adjoining room heard the shot and found him dying. The son had used the gun the same evening, and had unloaded it, but in some way Mr. Edwards secured the gun and loaded it with a shell he had secreted in his bed. He had been a cripple for a number of years and for some time had been confined to his bed.
Coroner Fetters held no inquest, as the circumstances surrounding the death pointed to a clear case of suicide.
Mr. Edwards was 45 years of age. He is survived by his wife and three sons. The funeral was held Monday from the home, and interment made in the Lorimor cemetery.
________________________The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 1, 1924
Page 1, Column 3USES SHOTGUN TO SHOOT HIMSELF
Arlington Edwards, Crippled Farmer Shoots Himself Friday Evening—Bedfast for Seven Years—Had Concealed a Shell. Coroner holds no inquest.
Arlington Edwards, an invalid farmer, placed the muzzle of a .44 shotgun under his chin and pulled the trigger. His boy and wife hastened to the room and found him dead, lying on the bed.
Edwards lived north of Lorimor on the edge of Madison county. He has been an invalid for years and was not able to get out of bed without help or feed himself. His hands were twisted and disabled by rheumatism so that he could not get them together. It is said that he had made two other attempts to take his life.
Friday evening his son cleaned and oiled a little .44 shotgun. His father asked to look at it and as it was not loaded he handed it to him and went to the barn. Edwards must have previously hidden a shell somewhere about the bed as the boy thought there were no shells in the room or near him. Edwards sat up in bed and placed the muzzle under his chin. How he managed to discharge it is not known.
Dr. Fetters, the county coroner was called but no inquest was necessary. Edwards has lived in the county a long time and was 42 years old.
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