McCarthy, Frank “Red” 1888-1926

MCCARTHY

Posted By: Tom Baack-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/31/2014 at 11:24:52

Le Mars Semi Weekly Sentinel Tuesday, June 8, 1926

SLITS THROAT WITH A KNIFE
Red McCarthy Found Lifeless on Cot in City Jail Monday Morning
ENLISTED DURING WAR I
Had Worked Around Past Eighteen Years

Lying on a cot in one of the cells in the city jail, the lifeless body of "Red" McCarthy, a resident of Le Mars for the past eighteen or twenty years, was found by the night policemen a little before 3 o'clock Monday (June 7, 1926) morning, while making their usual rounds. McCarthy had ended his life by slashing his throat with the blade of a small pocket knife. The knife was found lying beside the corpse in a pool of blood.

McCarthy is supposed to have committed the deed while temporarily insane. Another theory is advanced that he was suffering from the effects of poisoned hootch.

McCarthy was around among his associates Sunday and appeared in his usual health and spirits. He passed the afternoon with some friends and appeared to be all right, cheerful and happy. About 9 o'clock in the evening he was seen tearing up and down First Street NE and an hour later the police received notification that a man was either sick or acting crazily in the small pasture near the Omaha freight depot.

Night Policemen Boyle and Terpenning went to the place and found McCarthy lying on the ground. He appeared to be sick and talked incoherently. He was taken to the police station and given a cot upon which he laid down. The police talked to him at that time and again at midnight and at half past one. At that time McCarthy drank some water and appeared quieter. Returning later the jail officer Terpenning found the man had cut his throat. The body was taken in charge by L. E. Mauer, county coroner, and conveyed to the Beely undertaking rooms.

Served in War

Frank McCarthy, or "Red" the name by which he was known here, was 38 years of age. During the war he enlisted with Company K on July 16, 1917, and went with the Le Mars contingent to Camp Cody. He went over seas with replacement troops in May, 1918, and was in the fights at St. Mihiel, Belleau Woods and the Argonne. While in the army he received an injury to his foot, and infection set in and he was taken to a hospital. He returned to the United States in 1919

McCarthy worked as a laborer and of late had been employed on county road work. He was known as a good worker and always appeared to be cheerful and good natured.

At the time of his enlistment in 1917 he gave his age as 29 and his birthplace as Massachusetts. Little is known of his relatives. He is said to have stated he had a sister living but did not know where she is at present. "Red" had been on his own since he was left an orphan at an early age, to battle with a selfish world. He had taken and given many hard knocks and had a rugged quality about him that gained like and respect. He was a member of the Eagles. McCarthy carried some war insurance.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed but will probably be in charge of the order of the Eagles.