Ralph Baird d. 1907

BAIRD, MEREDITH, WILSON, FLETCHER, FARREL

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/15/2002 at 09:18:21

Ralph Baird Kills Self.

Bonaparte was given a sensation Wednesday morning when it was announced that the body of a dead man had been found lying on the floor of one of the water closets at the school house.

The body was found by D. Derr janitor of the school house, shortly before eight o’clock, Thursday morning. Mr. Derr had just tied his jersey calf out to pasture in the street north of the school house, and on his return was making an inspection of the closets when he discovered the body of a many lying on the floor of the girls closet.

Robt. Meek was working at his home and came by at once in response to Mr. Derr’s call. They at once discovered that it was Ralph Baird and that he was dead. The proper persons were at once notified.

Marshal W. R. Wilson was called and guarded the body until it was in the hands of the undertaker.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Baird and was twenty-one years old. He was an exceptionally vigorous specimen of physical manhood and appeared not to have a care or trouble in his life.

It was frequently remarked “Well?, Heck” Baird was the last person I would have suspected of wanting to commit suicide.”

The board decided to have no school Thursday afternoon and the pupils were notified to stay off the grounds until things were adjusted.

The young man’s mother, Mrs. Geo. Meredith, was in town because of the illness of her mother, Mrs. Wilson, and soon heard of the death of her boy. She hurried to the school grounds but was not permitted to see him.

The county coroner, Dr. E. E. Sherman of Keosauqua was notified and he instructed Justice of the Peace I. J. Hogan to act in his place.

Mr. Hogan called a coroners jury of three persons as follows: - L. C. Meek, E. Stadler, and Robt. Meek. They made an inspection of the body as it lay in the closet and had it taken to the undertaking rooms of W. C. Page.

County Attorney Jas. Harwood came at noon and assisted Squire Hogan in inquest. The following witnesses were called: - D. Derr, Dr. R. N. Cresap, Dr. C. C. Croy, C. L. George, N. V. Lowe, Walter Krenmyer, W. C. Hogan, and W. R. Wilson.

The evidence all pointed toward suicide. He had talked about it and appeared to have frequently thought of it. He frequently said “What’s the use of living?” and had discussed the easiest methods of death.

The indications are that the revolver was held in the right hand and practically against the temple, the ball going entirely through the head coming out in front of and about an inch above the left ear. Had the ball ranged a half inch lower it might not have caused his death. After leaving his head the ball struck against the side of the building, making a dent about deep enough to bury itself, and rebounded to the floor.

The revolver was a 38 cal. one which he had borrowed that evening from Van Norris. It was an Ivers-Johnson. When Norris loaned it to him all five of the chambers were loaded and when it was found there was but one empty shell.

He had a room at the Park Hotel and had gone to bed there about ten o’clock, remaining in bed but a few minutes, when he went out, borrowed a lantern of nightwatchman Baber, and about eleven o’clock committed suicide.

Miss Lizzie King who was spending the night at the Robert Meek home heard a gunshot at some time during the night.

His room and trunk were examined but there were no papers or anything of consequence that would indicate that he had had any trouble, any love affair, or anything that would likely cause him to want to take his own life.

Following is the report of the coroners jury: - “The said jurors upon their oath do say that, in their opinion, the aid Ralph Baird came to his death by a gunshot wound self inflicted with suicidal intent.”

Suicides are coming think and fast. The death of Miss Farrel of Lick Creek township Saturday, May 11, the attempted suicide of Miss Fletcher on Sunday, May 11, and the suicide of Ralph Baird Wednesday night, May 13, are a good many for one county within the space of five days.

Funeral services were held Sunday, at 2 P.M. in the Baptist church, Rev. Williamson officiating.

[hand written on article was "May 15 - 07"]

Source: Entler Scrapbook, v. 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA