SLAUGHTER, Arthur M. (1881-1921)

SLAUGHTER, KILLMON, DEITCHLER, WILSON, EMERINE, BOMER, RILEY, SEVERN, WALKER

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 10/15/2006 at 18:32:50

MILLS COUNTY TRIBUNE
DATED JANUARY 20, 1921:

ENDS HIS LIFE WITH A ROPE
Arthur Slaughter, in Fit of Despondency,
Hanged Himself in Barn Sometime
Between 2 and 6 A. M. Today

The news of a tragedy near Glenwood this (Thursday) morning was upon every tongue.

Arthur Slaughter, well known resident of Glenwood vicinity, committed suicide by hanging himself. The Slaughters live on a farm of Rudolph Deitchler’s.

Mr. Slaughter had been despondent for some time and for what reason is not explained, though he worried some over financial matters without real cause.

Mr. Slaughter arose form his bed about 2 a.m. and complained that he could not sleep and said he would go to the barn and do some work. His wife induced him to lie down again. She then went to sleep and on awaking in the morning about 6 o’clock found a note telling her she would find him in the barn.

He had used a halter rope, fastening it about his neck while standing on a short door and then stepped off.

Mr. Slaughter was about 35 years old and has a wife and three children. His wife was Myrtle Killmon of Glenwood.

He had rented a farm of Ed Wilson of Wesley for this coming year.

GLENWOOD OPINION
DATED JANUARY 27, 1921

“Myrtle, I’m in the barn, look after me.” This was the last communication left by Arthur Slaughter to his family before he went to the barn early Thursday morning and took his own life by hanging himself with a halter rope which he fastened over a beam, placed the other end around his neck and stepped off of a gate dividing two stalls.

The people of Glenwood and vicinity were shocked when the news of the tragedy reached here early that morning for Arthur slaughter was a well known, energetic young farmer, his wife a Glenwood girl, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Killmon of this city, and the motive for such an action was hard to understand. Inquiry, however, revealed the fact that he had been subject to spells of despondency ever since he suffered an attack of influenza some months ago. He is said to have worried over financial matters of no importance and without real cause.

He arose about 2 a.m. Thursday morning and dressed, telling his wife that he could not sleep and thought he would go out of doors for a time. She persuaded him to return to bed and when she awakened again shortly before 6 a.m. she discovered he was gone and upon arising found the note informing her he was in the barn where she found his lifeless body hanging from a rafter.

The resided upon the Rudolph Deitcher farm some ten miles north of Glenwood and had just recently rented a larger place of Ed Wilson north of Hastings, to which they expected to move in the spring.

The reports that he was driven to this fit of momentary insanity by worry over financial matters was circulated at first but was absolutely without foundation. His home life had been a very happy one always, he being a kind and loving husband and father. He leaves besides his wife, three small children who held a strong place in his affections. The sorrowing family have the heartfelt sympathy of their may friends in these dark hours of sorrow.

A. M. Slaughter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Slaughter, was born Aug. 17, 1881 and was married to Myrtle Killmon on November 6, 1907. To this union were born three children, Annie Louise, Dorothy and Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter united with the Christian church in 1906.

It was not possible for his mother, who is in poor health, to be present at the funeral services. His father preceded him in death three years ago. Two sisters, Mrs. Henry Emerine and Mrs. James Bomer, have passed through death’s door. Four brothers and five sisters survive the deceased: Phil, John, Harvey and Norval, Mrs. W. F. Emerine, Council Bluffs; Mrs. C. M. Bomer, Fresno, Calif.; Mrs. Albert Riley, Fresno, Calif.; Mrs. J. N. Severn, Glenwood, Iowa, and Mrs. A. B. Walker of Malvern, Iowa.

Mr. Slaughter had suffered from ill health for several years and worry over conditions and changes of the past two years brought on the sudden death Jan. 20, 1921, he being at the time 39 years, 3 months and 3 days old.

Funeral services were conducted from the Christian church on Sunday, Jan. 23 by the pastor, D. S. Thompson, assisted by Rev. Thos. Evans. Music by the male quartet with Miss May Linville at the piano. The pall bearers were his brothers, Phil, John, Harvey and Norval Slaughter, brother-in-law Arthur Walker and nephew, Frank Slaughter.