Rogers, Joel Smith 1863-1892

ROGERS, CLARK

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/3/2010 at 09:14:49

From the Alton Democrat of Aug 27, 1892 and from the Sioux County Herald of aug 24, 1892 which reported the following.
J. S. Rogers of Maurice committed suicide by shooting himself in the head last Thursday morning. He had been called about 6 o'clock and was seen by a number of persons shortly afterward. A few minutes before 7 o'clock a shot was heard in the neighborhood of the old livery barn but it attracted little attention. An hour later he was found in a manger in the livery stable with a bullet hole in his head. He was still living and Dr. Wilson was called but was unable to do anyhting for him. He never recovered conciousness and died about 9 o'clock. He had evidently been sitting up when he fired the shot, his hat was lying beneath him. The weapon used wasa 32 calibre bulldog and the muzzle had been held just at the edge of the left eyebrow.
About three months ago Mr. Rogers, who then lived at Correctionville, purchased the drug store of Arthur Whitfield at Maurice. He appeared to be a good business man and was well liked, although rather reserved and uncommunicative. Recently he sold an interest in his store to F. E. Horton of Anthon. For some time Rogers actions have been deemed rather queer. A few weeks ago he walked to LeMars, shutting up his store without a word to anyone, and thence he went to Correctionville, where he was sick in bed for some time. He returned only Sunday of last week. He was not in robust health and was undoubtedly insane. From all we can learn there is a love affair at the bottom of the trouble. This together with his ill health undoubtedly caused the fit of incanity during which he took his life.
(the Hawarden paper reported he was buried at Correctionville, found in the WPA records Joel Smith Rogers bon 2 Nov 1862 died 18 Aug 1892 buried in the Correctionville cemetery. Found parents in the 1880 Census of New London Huron OH. Reuben Rogers 43, Emily E. Rogers 43, Upton Clark Rogers 20, Joel Smith Rogers, Reuben R. Rogers 6, Willie Rogers 4. On Ancestry.com found family and mother was Emily Clark.)