McSURLEY, Miss Cleola: Died 1910

MCSURLEY, SILVER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/26/2016 at 16:59:15

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Thurs. 25 Aug. 1910

TWO SUICIDES FRIDAY
YOUNG LADY NEAR HERE SHOOTS HERSELF

MAN RESORTS TO ROPE.
Acts of Both Parties Unaccountable Except on Hypothesis of Sudden Insanity

The death of Miss Cleola McSurley, daughter of Mr. J.H. McSurley, living three miles north of here, as the result of a gunshot wound inflicted by her own hand, was a very sad affair. On the same day John E. Silver of Des Moines township, three miles west of Mt. Sterling, hung himself in his barn, and being cut down, died the following day.

Miss McSurley was only a little past 18 years of age, having been born May 9, 1892. Miss McSurley kept house for her father, her mother having died some four years ago. She was ill Friday morning, seemingly suffering considerably. Her father told her to remain in bed; that he would do the chores at the barn and would then come in and get his own breakfast. Oh the father's returning to the house he was horrified to discover his daughter prostrate upon the floor with a bullet in her brain. Life was already extinct.

While Mr. McSurley was at the barn the unhappy girl had arisen and coming down stairs secured a target rifle that was in the house, and which she had used herself in target practice, and sent a bullet in to her temple. The report was not heard by Mr. McSurley. It is probable that death was practically instantaneous.

Coroner Ware of Farmington was summoned and an inquest was held, the verdict being the Miss McSurley's death was caused by a wound inflicted by her own hand while in an irresponsible mental condition because of the pain she was suffering. From remarks made the previous evening as to her plans for Friday it appears to be certain that she had not thought of suicide, and it is probable the impulse came upon her suddenly and was as suddenly carried out without a minute's consideration.

Cleola was a good girl. She was a member of the senior class of the Keosauqua high school and was highly esteemed by her class-mates and all who knew her. The funeral was held at the late residence at 2:30 p.m., Sunday. The services were conducted by Rev. E. Perkins, assisted by Rev. W.G. Thorn. The discourses were very consoling and appropriate. A feature of the funeral was the presence of all of the deceased's class mates except one or two.

The untimely death of Cleola was surely a very sad occurrence, and to see the stricken father sitting alone by the side of the open casket of his loved one - his only child - was a spectacle so pitiful and so touching that those who witnessed it will never forget it.

It is estimated that here were 500 persons and 200 rigs at the funeral. The funeral procession to the Purdom cemetery, Keosauqua, was half a mile long or more. Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Hunter and Mr. Wm. Reese and daughter and Mrs. Sullivan of Ottumwa were present. There was a large concourse of town people at the grave.

**Handwritten: also see Book E page 97E

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 112, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA