Ervin, Jennie 1872 - 1909

ERVIN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/25/2019 at 17:17:40

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Oct. 15, 1909, 2, C6

J. D. Ervin Slays Divorced Wife, Shoots Admirer and Kills Self.
Because of his jealousy of Roy Smith, who was a boarder, J. D. Ervin, shot his divorced wife, Mrs. Mattie Ervin, and then killed himself. Ervin was a switchman in the employ of the Des Moines Union. Oct. 8 he went to the home of his divorced wife, at 1714 South Fifth street, Des Moines. Roy Smith was the first person he encountered and he fired at him, striking him in the shoulder, but not injuring him seriously.
Smith fled and Ervin calmly walked to the kitchen, where Mrs. Ervin was working and not suspecting danger. Without a word, as she turned toward him, he fired, the bullet striking her in the forehead and killing her instantly. He then turned the revolver on himself and fell dead across the body of Mrs. Ervin.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows they are both buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Mills County. He was born in 1862 and she was born in 1872. However, her gravestone shows her name as Jennie. Find a Grave also shows this happened on October 7, 1909.