Albert C. Lemmon (1873-1931)

LEMMON, DAY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/6/2021 at 21:55:12

From Nevada Evening Journal October 6, 1931 (page 1)

Fernald Man Suicided by Slashing Throat

Albert C. Lemmon, 58, of Fernald, long-time employee of the Rock Island, suicided late Wednesday afternoon by slashing his throat with a pocketknife.

The lifeless body was sighted by Geo. A. Runyan, engineer on a special Rock Island freight, lying on the right of way at a point near the station crossing the east edge of the city limits.

The body was discovered shortly after five o'clock and the man had apparently been dead for an hour or more.

Sheriff Hattery was a once notified and he with Deputy Boller at once went out to the place where the body was found and soon had it removed to the Morfoot Funeral home, where it was viewed later by Coroner Mills.

In the pocket of the man's clothes was found a note addressed "To the Public." In this he gave the addresses of a brother and sister and gave the reason for his premeditated action as ill health.

He had suffered "untold pain" for years, the note stated, and realized that there was no cure for him. Realizing that eventually he would become helpless and a burden upon someone else, he decided to end it all by taking his own life. "I am not insane," the note stated. "I was never more rational in my life, than I am now," it continued.

"No one else is to blame and no love affair has anything to do with my act," the note stated.

Lemmon, whose home had been at Excelsior Springs, Mo., had been employed as a section man ono the Rock Island under James Scarcello foreman for 11 years, the last six of which had been at Fernald.

He was a man of industry and saving and had accumulated some money and property during his time. A few years ago he lost $2,600 in a misguided investment in a farm loan at Cambridge.

Recently he has sold a small residence property he owned at Fernald on contract, and had some money, besides his insurance policy and other valuable papers in a Nevada bank.

He leaves a sister Mrs. H. F. Day at Chevelah, Wash., and an invalid brother, James F. Lemmon at Excelsior Springs.

There being no work on Wednesday he had came down to Nevada for the day. He spent a couple of hours at the club rooms of the Odd Fellows hall, he being a member of the local lodge. He had played pool with friends and was apparently in best of spirits.

The body will remain at the local mortuary pending word form relatives who have been notified and awaiting the appointment of an administrator to take charge of his affairs.

For some time Lemmon had boarded in the W. L. Roe home in Fernald.

The evening before his tragic death he has spent with a friend, Mrs. Ruby Hendricks, and had asked her to come to Nevada Wednesday and spend the day. She was undecided at the time. He left for Nevada the nest morning without communicating further with her.

Sheriff Hattery received word today from the sister, Mrs. Day, that she would not be able to come. She having been named as one of the beneficiaries from the estate under the will, the sheriff wired her again, advising her of that fact and is awaiting further word.