William Clare "Bill" Allen (1914-1939)

ALLEN, MILLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/13/2022 at 20:17:47

From Nevada Evening Journal June 1, 1939 (page 1)

Maxwell Man Dead from a Gunshot Wound

Special to the Journal:
Maxwell, June 1--William Allen, 25, familiarly known as "Bill," died about noon today as a result of a gunshot wound through his head from a 4-10 gauge shotgun.

Sheriff McGriff and County Coroner Guy Mills were here but decided not to hold an inquest this afternoon. It is thought that the wound was self inflicted with suicidal intent.

Allen, who returned here a year ago from Nevada where he had been conducting a used-car sales lot, had been conducting a dairy, keeping his milk cows in the Ida Boitnott pasture just in the west edge of the town.

About 10:30 o'clock he appeared at the Frank McClure home and borrowed a shotgun, saying that dogs had been bothering his cattle. It was shortly afternoon when two boys returning from fishing, came upon his dead body, with the wound through his head, lying in an abandoned gravel-pit in the pasture.

He leaves his wife, who was before her marriage Hazel Miller of Nevada, little sons Bobby and Freddie; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Foss Allen; a brother Max Allen of Chicago and sisters Jean, Jane and Janice all at home.

As soon as the Coughenour and Hudson boys came upon the dead body they hastened to town and reported to the officers, who at once called the sheriff in Nevada.

It is probable that despondency over business affairs was responsible for the tragedy.

From Nevada Evening Journal June 10, 1939

Funeral Servics at Maxwell Church for William Allen

Special to the Journal:
Maxwell, June 10--Funeral rites for William C. Allen were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the Presbyterian church with the pastor, Rev. H. D. Robinson in charge and Mrs. Arthur Hale at the piano. The pallbearers were Stanley Bullard, James Kirk, Keith Meyers, Maurice Mullen, Frank Dykstra and Willard Hartin. Interment in Maxwell cemetery.

William Clair Allen, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Foss Allen was born Nov. 1, 1914 and passed from this life June 1, 1939 at the age of twenty-four years and seven months. William lived his entire childhood in Maxwell and was graduated from the local high school. All during his school life he was a member of the Presbyterian Sunday school. After graduation he was employed as an automobile salesman in Maxwell, Nevada and Ames. On August 9, 1936 he united in marriage to Hazel Miller of Nevada. Two sons, Robert James 1 1/2 years old and Frederick Max, 9 months of age came to bless this union. Last June he and his family returned from Nevada to make their home in Maxwell and he became engaged in the dairy business the following December.

Bill, as everyone knew him was a young man of fine character, honest and loyal to his fellowmen. He was a loving and devoted father. His sunny and cheerful disposition made him a host of friends.

Besides his wife and two babies, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Foss Allen, one brother Max and three sisters, Jean, Jane and Janice; a grandmother, Mrs. F. H. Allen and numerous other relatives and friends.

Out of town relatives and friends in attendance at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Novotny of Cincinnati, O.; Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Sumner, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Hartin and Ames Miller and Miss Mary Jo Herad of Des Moines; MR. and Mrs. Ed Steward, Bondurant; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Miller, Mitchellville; Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Miller, Mrs. Lillie Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Le Roy Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Mullin and Mrs. Wm. Coxworth, Nevada; Mrs. Lewis Pettigrew, Ottumwa; Clair Bowen, Webster City, Ross Robinson and Miss Esther Bowen, Ames; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Shearer, Tama; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Allen and family, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Allen, Hampton; Mr. and Mrs. James Kirk, Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. Ted Bowen and Max Allen, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. James Allen, Indianola; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Underhill, Beloit, Wis.; and Lewis DeWald, Osceola.