CHARLES L. SADDLER

SADDLER, WEIHER, JAMESON, SCOTT, BENNETT, STACKBARGER

Posted By: Vesta Smith (email)
Date: 7/7/2002 at 13:01:17

DEATH AND OBITUARY OF CHARLES L. SADDLER

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[Hand written on the newspaper clipping is 1923, no other information given.]

Charles Saddler, an old resident on a farm near Bonaparte, committed suicide sometime during Tuesdy night, Nov. 6, by hanging himself in a tree near his barn.

Mr. Saddler after the death of his wife, several months ago, rented his farm to neighbors and located in Ft. Madison. Since that time he has made frequent visits at Bonaparte.

On Tuesday afternoon he purchased in Bonaparte an inch rope about fifteen feet long. He was again in Bonaparte during the evening and was last seen about 8:30 going south across the river bridge.

Miss Vera Woods and Miss Ethel Knehans were riding to Bonaparte to school on horseback when they saw something hanging in a tree near the Saddler home. At first they thought it could not be a person, but then suspiscions were aroused and Miss Woods went near enough to ascertain that someone had hanged himself.

They then rode toward Bonaparte and met S. F. Henry, telling him of their discovery. Henry went at once to the farm and found that Mr. Saddler had killed himself several hours before. Coroner Burnett of Keosauqua was notified.

The evidence of premeditated suicide was so conclusive that no inquest was considered necessary. Mr. Saddler was hanging by the new rope above mentioned, in a large oak tree in a pasture near his barn. He had made disposition of his property, appointing J. A. Johnson administrator had given the cause for taking his own life as being lonesome and despondent, had given instructions as to the disposal of his body, and had written his own obituary sketch.

He had also written a letter to his son-in-law, Robert Weiher of Bonaparte and mailed it on Tuesday evening, telling Mr. Weiher what he intended doing and where he would find his body. Various remarks which he had made to friends and relatives on Tuesday also indicated that he had all plans made for taking his own life. In the obituary sketch he gave the time of his death as November 6th.

Four sons and four daughters have the sympathy of the entire community. They are, George of Chicago; Beird of Council Bluffs; Charles of Amarillo, Texas; Ross of Ft. Madison; Mrs. Robert Weiher of Bonaparte; Mrs. Will Jameson of Iowa City; Mrs. Jesse Scott of La Harba, Calif.; and Mrs. George D. Bennett of Bonaparte.

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COPY OF INSTRUCTIONS.

Following is a copy of he letter of instructions left, in his overcoat pocket; also the letter addressed to Robert Weiher as above mentioned.

BONAPARTE, IOWA, OCT. 6, 1923

Cause for this act: I have been coughing for some time and it is a getting worse all the time. I cannot live at home nor with anybody else, so I will close up, with respects to all.

Chas. L. Saddler

The way I want my property divided. $200 in bonds to Charley, $200 in bonds to Myrtia, $100 in bonds to Roy Tefft, as I spent a many a happy hour with him. I would a been gone a long time before this.

My bed, I want Carrie Saddler to have it and all that goes with it, Bob Weiher to have watch and Mrs. Tefft to have sugar bowl and cream pitcher as she wanted it.

I want Mrs. Calhoun to have all the chickens and feed there is and to let them run as we said in my lot as the account with Mr. Calhoun, with him you owe me nothing.

Bob's boys to have grip and all clothes that is up here.

I want Violet Jameson to have my set of knives and forks. This is not law, but do as say, oblige me, J. A. Johnson to settle up my estate.

Chas. L. Saddler

P.S. Get Barber, Page & Son, undertaker. Take me to the undertaker an leave me there until I go to the cemetery. Under no condition do you change this.

On the envelope which was pinned on his overcoat was this instructions, "Look in my overcoat pocket."

In the letter mailed to Bob Weiher and by him received on Wedensday morning were these words:
Bob Weiher, City:
Bob: You will find my dead body just south of the old barn.

Chas. L. Saddler

This letter was postmarked at Bonaparte Nov. 7, 1923, and had evidently been mailed during the night while the office was close.

OBITUARY.
Chas. L. Saddler was born near Bentonsport, Iowa, on Dec. 12, 1855, and died Nov. 6, 1923, was married to Sarah Stackbarger________ (I haven't got the date, please put that in.) There was eight children born, four sons and four daughters, George, Charley, Beird, Ross, Jessie, Myrta, Catie, and Nellie Saddler. (Make it short.)