Walter L. Burton (1895-1942)

BURTON

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 11/26/2019 at 08:21:54

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier December 20, 1942
Railroad Fireman Takes Life By Gun
Walter L. Burton, 47-year-old Milwaukee railroad fireman, took his own life at some time Monday, December 21 according to Coroner Gordon Traul, who said that the body was not found until Christmas morning. Burton ended his life with a shotgun which he fired into his head. He was at his home on Blackhawk road where he lived alone. He had been last seen on the morning of December 21, though Coroner Traul said that Milwaukee employees had attempted to locate him for duty. On his last run into Cedar Rapids he is said to have told fellow workmen that he intended to end his life. Coming originally from Mystic he had been employed by the Milwaukee railroad for the past 22 years. He is survived by his mother who lived in mystic and by one sister in California. He was a member of K.P. lodge No. 12. The body is at the Traul funeral chapel where it will remain until it is shipped to Mystic where funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday from the Ray Swanson funeral parlors.