Rodolph Wilbur Beeson

BEESON

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 1/13/2006 at 20:19:59

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, September 14, 1921
Page 7

Earlham

The funeral of Rudolph Beeson, who committed suicide at his home in Des Moines Friday, was held at the Christian church Sunday afternoon. Interment was made in the Earlham cemetery.
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Earlham Library Obituaries
Earlham, Iowa
September 1921

Obituary

Rodolph Wilbur Beeson was born in DeSoto, Dallas County, Iowa on Sept. 1, 1892 and departed this life at his home in Des Moines Sept. 8, 1921, aged 29 years and 8 days. He united with the Christian Church at Early Chapel in 1911. He leaves to mourn his untimely passing a wife, and two children, his mother Mrs. Mary Beeson, of Earlham and seven brothers.

Funeral services were held at the Christian Church in Earlham on Sunday afternoon, being conducted by the pastor Rev. Titus.

Interment was in Earlham Cemetery.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, September 8, 1921

Rodolph Beeson is Shotgun Victim

Former Earlham Boy Suicides in Des Moines. Temporary Insanity Believed to be Cause of Thursday Evening Tragedy.

Rodolph Beeson, son of Mrs. Mary Beeson, of Earlham, committed suicide at his home 1414 West Walnut Street, Des Moines this evening at eight o’clock. The fatal act was accomplished with a shotgun, the charge striking the unfortunate young man in the groin and ranging upward through the trunk of the body, doubtless penetrating the heart or other important organs. Death was instantaneous. It is supposed that Beeson placed the muzzle of the gun against his abdomen and bent over to pull the trigger.

Mrs. Beeson, the widow, is unable to assign any cause for this act of self-destruction committed by a young man of only 29 years with no apparent cause for despondency. He came home as usual in the evening from his employment as mechanic for the Horrabin Construction. He seemed to be in a cheerful mood. His working associates say the same thing, that he has been in buoyant spirits for several days. It was while Mrs. Beeson was absent at a neighbors telephoning that she heard the roar of the gun’s discharge. The fact that Rodolph had inquired about the gun earlier in the evening gave a deadly significance to the sound, and not until she had secured the attendance of a neighboring relative did she approach her home and discover the lifeless body of her husband.

Rodolph is believed to have taken his life during a mental lapse similar to those which have occasionally affected him the past few years. About four years ago he was struck by a car and thrown upon his head on the pavement. Since that time he has been abnormal in a mental way at intervals, and complained of pain in his head. His ordinary temperament was not such as to account for so rash a deed.

Rodolph lived in Earlham for many years, attending school here and taking an active part in school and town athletics. He was known as an industrious laborer, but was not disposed to retain positions at any length. He has held the office of head mechanic for the Horrabin Company for some time. At the outbreak of the war Rodolph was rejected for military duty on account of a defective eye, and moved to Des Moines soon afterward. He is survived by his mother, two brothers, Ira and Bennie at Earlham, a brother Ivan, of Indianola, and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at the Christian Church at one o’clock Sunday afternoon.