Tom Matthews

MATTHEWS, REESE

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 12/16/2014 at 17:55:50

Former Park Cop Slashes Throat; Dies.

Tom Matthews, in Ill-Health for Years After Stroke, Ends Life.

Tom Matthews, 64, who lived at 2645 Harrison street, former member of the Davenport police department and later a park policeman stationed at VanderVeer Park, died in Mercy hospital late Saturday night after slashing his throat with a razor. He had been in ill health for the past five years had been partially paralyzed. He had suffered several strokes.

He ate his noon meal Saturday and sat at the table afterward talking with his housekeeper, Mrs. Augusta Hass. After telling her that he was tired and intended to go to his room for a few minutes to rest, he left the room.

When Mrs. Hass called to him and he did not answer, she went to his room and found him lying face downward on the bed. She called his brother and summoned Dr. W.E. Foley and when they arrived they found that Matthews had cut his throat. He was unconscious.

He was taken to Mercy hospital where he died at 11:25 p.m. Saturday. Dr. J.D. Cantwell, coroner, made a brief investigation and announced that eh would not hold an inquest. Ill health prompted Matthews to end his life, the coroner learned.

Mr. Matthews was born in Davenport, July 4, 1865 and was a life resident of this city. His wife, Mrs. Julia Matthews, preceded him in death March 26, 1928. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Ray Reese of Davenport; three brothers, Robert of Lymann S.D.; J.E. and Chris Matthews of Davenport; and one sister, Mrs. Rachel Houghton of Davenport.

The funeral will be held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday from the Fred N. Ruhl Funeral Home with services at 9 o'clock at St. Paul the Apostle church. Burial will be made in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

Source: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Ia., 16 June 1929, p.17.

The following additional obit was contributed bySandra Hendrick Allen.

THOMAS MATTHEWS ENDS LIFE BY CUTTING THROAT

Thomas W. MATTHEWS, 64, former city police officer and until recently a policeman at Vander Veer park, who resided at 26 45 Harrison street, died Saturday night at Mercy hospital several hours after he had cut his throat with a razor while lying upon a bed at his home.

Coroner J. D. CANTWELL, who pronounced the case suicide, said he was informed that MATTHEWS, who lived alone, had suffered several strokes of paralysis and that he had become despondent because his paralyzed condition prevented him from moving about the house without difficulty.

MATTHEWS was found in an unconscious condition at 4:20 p.m. Saturday by Mrs. Augusta HASS, his housekeeper. She was unaware of the wounds MATTHEWS had inflicted upon himself and it was not until she had notified his brother and had secured the assistance of Dr. W. E. FOLEY that his condition was known. MATTHEWS was taken to Mercy hospital where he died at 11:25 p.m.

Mrs. HASS told coroner J. D. CANTWELL that MATTHEWS had remained at the table a short time after having dinner Saturday noon and then said he was going upstairs to his room. Later, Mrs. HASS called MATTHEWS and when there was no answer, she investigated and found him face downward in bed.

LIFE RESIDENT: Mr. MATTHEWS was born on July 4, 1865, in Davenport and had been a life resident of this city. His wife preceded him in death on March 26, 1928.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Ray REESE of Davenport; three brothers, Robert MATTHEWS of Lyman, S. D., J. E. MATTHEWS, and Chris MATTHEWS, both of Davenport, and one sister, Mrs. Rachel HAUGHTON of Davenport.

The body was removed to the Fred N. RUHL funeral home where services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and at 9 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle church. Burial will be in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

Source: Davenport Daily Times, Davenport, Iowa, Mon, 17 June 1929.