Clyde Bradshaw (-1930)

BRADSHAW

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/26/2008 at 11:47:26

AMES DAILY TRIBUNE-TIMES, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Tuesday, March 4, 1930.

MAXWELL FARMER SUICIDES

CLYDE BRADSHAW CUTS HIS THROAT AFTER ATTACKING WIFE WITH KNIFE

Dies on Way to Hospital; Son Saves Mother

Tribune-Times County News Service

MAXWELL, - Clyde Bradshaw, 40, farmer living four and a half miles northeast of Maxwell, committed suicide at his farm home here about 5:30 o'clock this morning after an unsuccessful attempt to kill his wife. Mrs. Bradshaw sustained a severe cut on her face above the jawbone and her hands were badly cut in her attempts to ward off her husband's attack.

Bradshaw bad been morose for several weeks and melancholia coupled with ill health the past few days is believed to have resulted in temporary insanity. Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw were at the home of a neighbor Monday evening and made plans for farm work for the coming season.

Boy Rescues Mother

About 4:30 o'clock this morning Bradshaw got up and went out to do his chores preparatory to breaking corn stalks. He came in for breakfast about 5 o'clock and without warning drew his pocket knife and started for his wife. She fell down in the struggle but her screams attracted their 13-year old son, Arnold, who pulled his father away. Bradshaw backed his son into a corner but made no effort to harm him and then walked into the center of the room and slashed
his own throat. He cut clear to the windpipe and then tore at his throat with his bands.

Mrs. Bradshaw immediately called neighbors and a doctor was summoned. The nearest ambulance was at Nevada and a hurried call was made to the county seat in an effort to get Bradshaw to a hospital in order to save his life. He died on the way to Nevada. The body was taken to an undertaking parlor there but before noon was returned to the Bradshaw home.

Coroner Investigating

County Coroner D. G. Mills of McCallsburg was enroute to the farm at noon Tuesday but was not expected to "submit his report before late this afternoon.

Bradshaw was in Maxwell about 7:30 o'clock Monday evening and ordered some repairs for his farm machinery at the Hormel Implement company.

The Bradshaws moved to the Maxwell community from Kentucky about 5 years ago. They worked here by the month for about two years and then started to farm for themselves. The farm they now occupy is owned by Charles Fish and Bradshaw was preparing for his second year on tbe place.

Neighbors said this morning that Bradshaw was a good farmer and a good neighbor and that they knew of no reason for his act. He was an active member of tbe farm bureau. Arnold is a student in the Maxwell schools.

No funeral arrangements have been made pending word from Bradshaw's parents in Kentucky.