McNally, Frank E. 1871-1922

MCNALLY, MINS, GAFFNEY

Posted By: Janet Brown - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/3/2013 at 17:42:22

From the April 13, 1922 Hawarden Independent:

F. E. McNALLY TAKES LIFE

SHOT HIMSELF WITH PISTOL LAST THURSDAY

Act Caused by Poor Health and Business Troubles

Resident of Sioux County Since Childhood

Residents of Hawarden, Ireton and all the country round were deeply shocked last Thursday afternoon when it was learned that Frank E. McNally, a prominent farmer of Washington township, was dead as the result of a self-inflicted bullet wound.

Mr. McNally had not been in good health for about a year although this fact was known to only a very few of his acquaintances. He had worried considerably, however, over the state of his health, and this coupled with business worries, is believed to have momentarily unbalanced his mind and prompted him to take his own life.

Mr. McNally was not feeling well on the morning of the tragedy and had remained in bed all forenoon. At dinner time his wife advised him to remain in bed and she would bring his dinner to him. He replied that he was feeling somewhat better and would get up and dine with the family. He did get up and started to dress. Just then one of the children came into the house with the morning mail and handed it to Mr. McNally in the bedroom. He closed the door and just a few seconds later, a shot was heard. This did not alarm Mrs. McNally as he had threatened a few days before to shoot a stray dog which had been hanging around the place at the first opportunity. Mrs. McNally thought he had taken a shot at the dog through the open window of the bedroom. Just a few seconds afterwards, however, she heard a second shot and then went into the bedroom and was horrified to see Mr. McNally lying prostrate on the floor with the revolver next to him. Although he was still breathing and lived for an hour and a half after the shot, he never regained consciousness. Medical aid was at once summoned from Ireton and, his aged father and other relatives from here, together with Rev. Fr. Sullivan, hastened to his home, but he expired a short time after their arrival. It was apparent that the first bullet caused a wound of of only a superficial nature, just grazing the scalp, but the second bullet entered his head back of the ear and caused a hemorrhage of the brain.

Requiem high mass was celebrated Saturday morning at St. Mary's Catholic church in this city by Rev. Fr. Sullivan, assisted by Rev. Fr. Casey of Akron and a priest from Granville, and interment was made in the Catholic cemetery here. The funeral was one of the most largely attended that has ever been held in Hawarden, attesting in a marked degree to the high esteem in which the deceased was held in the community. Fully a thousand persons gathered to pay their respects to the memory of their departed friend and neighbor and the church was entirely inadequate to accommodate those in attendance.

Frank E. McNally, son of Michael and Margaret Ann McNally, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, Nov. 18, 1871, and died April 6, 1922, at the age of 50 years, 4 months and 18 days. He came with his parents to Sioux county in 1873, when they located on a farm in Washington, township which his father purchased. Here he grew to manhood and assisted in operating the home farm. On Nov. 27, 1901, he was united in marriage with Miss Allie Mins of Maurice and they immediately went to housekeeping on the farm which he had previously purchased two miles southwest of Ireton, and where he continued to reside until his death. Four children were born to them, two sons and two daughters, Francis, Lawrence, Florence and Bernice, all of whom with the grief stricken wife are left to mourn the loss of a fond and devoted father and husband. He is also survived by his aged father, Michael McNally of this city, his mother having passed away on March 15th last year. He also leaves one sister and three brothers, Mrs. A. G. Earley and John H. McNally of this city, and Michael J. and Andrew McNally of Washington township.

Frank McNally was one of the best known and most highly revered citizens of Sioux county. He grew from babyhood here and his life has been an open book to the residents of the community. Always fair and square, upright, generous hearted, loyal, his nature was such at to attract warm friends and retain them. He attained success in a business way as a farmer and stock raiser but always found time to go to the aid of a needy neighbor or friend. He was a leader in the community in which he resided in every movement for the good of the community. His tragic passing leaves a vacant place which cannot be filled and many outside the family circle will grieve at the loss of a true friend and neighbor. There is naught but sincere sympathy expressed on every hand for the members of the family and other relatives.

Poster's note: In "Ireton, A Proud Heritage, 1882-1982", Frank's parents are given as Margurette (Gaffney) and Michael McNally.