Boyles, Timothy "Elmer" 1890-1939

BOYLES, MCCORMICK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 8/9/2016 at 14:17:41

Source: Hawarden Independent (3-30-1939)

Birth: May 22, 1890
Death: March 29, 1939

Elmer Boyles, 48, a resident of Hawarden for the past 27 years, committed suicide in the garage at his home just south of the North Western tracks in this city, early Wednesday morning by strangulation.

Mr. Boyles was employed on a W.P.A. project and left the house after breakfast, advising his wife to get his lunch ready while he went out to warm up the car. Some 45 minutes later members of the family went to the garage and found his lifeless body. As they left the garage screaming for help, Justice of the Peace Sam Blair happened to be walking toward town and heard them. He hurried over to the garage and realized that Mr. Boyles was probably dead and sent someone to telephone for a physician. Two physicians arrived shortly but life was found to be extinct. Marshal Harry Hartman was also summoned to the scene.

Mr. Boyles had used a very thin rope to commit the act. He had apparently stood up on a sanitary cot in the garage and with a noose around his neck and the rope fastened over a 4X4 overhead, kicked the cot out from under him. His feet were dragging the floor of the garage when he was found and it seemed evident that death resulted from strangulation rather than from a broken neck. He had removed his cap and placed it on top of the car before pushing the cot out from under him.

Coroner Chas. Vander Ploeg was notified at Sioux Center but he was ill and deputized Justice Blair to investigate the case. Justice Blair decided that an inquest was unnecessary as death by his own hand was obvious. About a year ago he attempted suicide by drinking a quantity of lysol but was saved at that time through prompt action by a physician. He had been discouraged and despondent and this is believed to have prompted the act.

The body was removed to the Ross Funeral Home and funeral services will be held there at 2:30 Friday afternoon, with Reverend Robert F. Chapler, pastor of the Methodist Church, in charge. Interment will be in Grace Hill Cemetery.

Timothy Elmer Boyles was born in the state of Washington My 22, 1890 so was not yet 49 years of age. He came to Hawarden about 27 years ago from Hecla, South Dakota. He married Ethel Mae McCormick in Hawarden. He served in the army during the World War and returned to Hawarden following his discharge and has since continued to make his home here. During the years of his residence in Hawarden he was employed as a laborer.

He is survived by his wife and eight children. The children are Guy, John, Raymond, LeRoy, Henry, Levi and Anna Mae Boyles and Mrs. Paul Hilton, all of whom live at home with the exception of Guy and John.