Zimri Lewis Presnell/Presnall (1848-1891)

PRESNELL, PRESNALL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/19/2021 at 16:23:45

From Nevada Representative January 28, 1891

Death of Z. Pressnall.

The people of Nevada were startled Thursday morning last, January 22nd, 1891, by the unwelcome report that Zimri Pressnall had been shot and was lying dead in the wood room of his harness shop on Linn street. The report proved to be too sadly true. Mr. Pressnall left home a little after six o'clock, according to his usual custom, to build fires and to put his shop in readiness for his workmen. On the arrival of Geo. Brock, one of the men, about 7:30, he found two lights burning, one in each room, the fire ready to light in the stove, the room partly swept and Mr. Pressnall dead in the wood house. The exact manner of his death it seems difficult to determine. About all that is known ism that he left home in a cheerful state of mind, that three shots were heard by two or three parties, that two bullet holes were discovered in the siding of the wood shed--one of them having a direction suggestive of a struggle, that the shot causing death was fired with the weapon held against the forehead, that his revolver was found lying near his body with three empty chambers, and that his two money purses were found out of his pockets and empty. The changing of the position of the body and its surroundings before any legal investigation was instituted served also to add was somewhat to the indefiniteness in the case. Hence as to whether the shooting was done by himself or by some lurking tramp, there is considerable diversity of opinion, and perhaps the matter will always remain an unraveled mystery. The finding of the coroner's jury after a careful investigation of the premises and hearing of testimony was the following: "That Zimri Pressnall came to his death from a pistol bullet fired through his brain by some person to the jurors unknown." This decision, though indefinite, is all, probably, that the testimony and present knowledge of the sad event would justify.

Mr. Pressnall was born Sept. 9thm 1848, at Newcastle, Indiana, and when about eight years old came with his people to the southern part of town. He was the ninth child to a family of ten children and from early years had to earn his own livelihood. He learned his trade at Des Moines and came to Nevada about twenty years ago. He had gone in and out before our people all these years, and none have had occasion to speak ill of him as man and citizen. The kindly estimation in which he was held is shown by the appreciative words of his old employer and the memorial testimonial of his K. P. brethren, published below. His life was insured for $2,000 to the Woodmen and $1,000 in a Toledo Co. This forethought was in keeping with his usual solicitude for his family of which he was very fond. His funeral services were largely attended at the M. E. church Saturday forenoon and conducted by Revs. Danner, Coyle and Schnur. The funeral cortege from the church to the cemetery was under the direction of the members of the K. P. Lodge and the services at the grave were conducted according to the beautiful ritual of the order. Mrs. Pressnall leaves a wife and three little girls of his immediate family and large circle of relatives to mourn a great loss. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved household.

Mr. E. S. Hoag, in whose service Mr. Pressnall was for many years trusted employe, pays him the following tribute,--a tribute in whose just and kindly sentiments the community will quite generally concur "More than twenty years ago, when but little home than a boy, Mr. Pressnall came to the firm of Hoag & Murphy, and continued in their employ until 1886, he went into business for himself. During all that long period he was never known to do a mean act, he was pleasant and easy to get along with, honorable and upright in all his dealings; his whole desire in everything great or small was to do what was manly, just and good. Slow to speak, slow to wrath, he was a man who could return good for evil, and be merciful to his worst enemies. In his walk and conversation he was so quiet and unassuming that without knowing him well it was impossible to estimate aright the real beauty and excellence of his character. A loving husband, a tender father, a faithful friend, all who knew him best must feel that in every relation in life he has been worthy of all honor and all praise; and deeply lament the sad occurrence which has cut short his earthly career.

CASTLE HALL OF SAMSON LODGE,}
NO. 77, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. }

NEVADA, IOWA, Jan. 23, 1891,
WHEREAS, Our Brother, Zimri Pressnell, has been suddenly and untimely called to pass the dark valley, to the bright beyond, and,

WHEREAS, We were bound to him by the strong and lasting ties of friend and brother,

Resolved, That in his death this community has lost an untiring, upright and industrious citizen, and this town, one of its best and most reliable business men; That as a friend, he was true and faithful and as a Brother, kind and benevolent. That this lodge has lost one of its best and most earnest workers, and each member, a tried and trusted friend and Brother.

Resolved, That we will cherish his memory and emulate his many virtues; That the widow and orphans have, in this their dark hour, our tenderest sympathy and regret and that we stand ready to befriend them for the sake of our demised Brother.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of our deceased Brother and a copy of the same be printed in the REPRESENTATIVE and Watchman, and spread on the minutes of our lodge.

E. W. GIFFORD, }
WM. JONES, } Com.
J. F. GILLESPIE.}