Norton, Frank ( March 1891)

NORTON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/16/2010 at 07:57:13

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) March 20, 1891

FRANK NORTON SUICIDES

Scarcely had the town become quieted down from the horror of a week ago when our people are stirred up with another. Wednesday morning as John Evans who teaches at Maple Grove school house was going to his school thru the fields he discovered the body of a man hanging to a tree. He did not recognize the man and went to Frank Abel's where Mr. Baldwin told him to go for the coroner. The coroner was summoned, and went to the scene of the suicide. The body was cut down and carried to Grinnell to the furniture store of Ramey & Howard where the inquest was held. Five witnesses were examined before Coroner McGuin.

A.J. Blakely said: Deceased had been living at my home for five months. Had been at Mt. Pleasant asylum for four years. Deceased had been in the habit of going to town to visit his mother once or twice without my knowledge. Yesterday I was in town. On going home at sundown Frank was missing. Hadn't been seen since 2 P.M. Searched barns, but not finding him concluded he'd gone to town. Came to town this morning and found he wasn't here. The body of the suicide is that of Frank Norton. He was of a peculiar turn of mind and given to reading religious books of all kinds. Had no enemies.

John Evans said: Saw the body hanging on the tree. Did not touch it but was sure there was no life in the body. Went for coroner.

I.B. Baldwin said: Was notified by John Evans that a body was hanging from a tree. Told him to notify coroner, and went with Abel and Hyde to tree. Found footprints leading to it. Found deceased had gone south of tree and it looked as if he'd climbed the tree. Rope was tied to two limbs one above the other. Rope was wound around the upper limb with a half hitch and then to the lower. Deceased probably climbed tree, tied rope and then swung off. Toes of deceased could have touched projecting roots of tree.

Other witnesses, Messers. Hyde and Abel were called and confirmed the testimony of those already quoted. It was learned that deceased was last seen by Mr. Spooner going in the direction of the tree with something under one arm, which was supposed to be the rope. The jury, consisting of H.C. Buswell, A.R. Heald and C.L. Walker, returned a verdict that deceased came to his death by "strangulation with suicidal intent," about 5 P.M. Tuesday. The place chosen was a tree hidden from both dwellings and road by hills and the discovery of the body only was possible by one passing thru the field. It was supposed that he must have climbed the tree and sat upon the lower limb of the cottonwood while making the proper adjustment. Norton was a quiet, orderly young fellow about 28 years of age. The cause for the deed can hardly be imagined unless some strong religious excitement had taken possession of him. But he had not shown any insane tendencies lately. Last fall he returned from a four years' stay at Mt. Pleasant and seemed quite well. Those who knew him thought him to be much improved and looked for his recovery. He has been much interested in religious reading lately and it is thought that his mind perhaps became unbalanced. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the home of E.P. Day. The service was conducted by Rev. H.M. Tenney.