Charles W. Sommers

SOMMERS, SUMMERS, STUMPF

Posted By: Cheryl (email)
Date: 3/9/2014 at 12:40:24

IOWA CITY CITIZEN - TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1917

FARMER TAKES CARBOLIC ACID
Charles Summers, aged fifty years, one of the most prominent and well-to-do farmers in this county committed suicide this morning at 10 o'clock at his home near Kalona, Johnson county, by drinking carbolic acid.
Mr. Summers had been ill for about two years. While he had been able to be up and about during that period, he suffered from a complication of ailments which left him in a greatly weakened condition. For the past few weeks Mr. Summers had been noticeably despondent. His mother's death, which occurred a few months ago, is also believed to have preyed upon his mind.
The suicide was evidently carefully planned by Mr. Summers who carried out his fatal deed in the absence of his wife.

Gets Deadly Drug
Yesterday afternoon Mr Summers went to the basement of his farm and secured the carbolic acid. He kept it on his person over night without letting anybody know his intentions and chose this morning as the time to drink the deadly drug.
Mrs. Summers had gone to the barn to do some chores at about 10 o'clock, and during her absence Mr. Summers drank a large quantity of carbolic acid. On her return to the house Mrs. Summers found her husband dead.
Coroner, C A Murphy of this county was notified and he issued a burial permit finding it not necessary to make the tnip to Kalona as the evidence was conclusive that the man had committed suicide.
Mr. Summers is survived by a widow, and three daughters, Mrs. Gertrude Stumpf who resides near the Summers residence and Misses Ruth, aged 16, and Nettie, aged 7.

Born On Same Farm
Mr. Summers was born and raised on the farm where he committed suicide and was the son of John and Barbara Summers.
Recently Mr. Summers had rented his farm to a man named William White who had already moved to the place. Mr. Summers had told his neighbors that he intended moving to Kalona. The only reason that his relatives can ascribe to the cause tor his suicide is ill health.

Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made.