John P. Hicks Died 1912

HICKS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/20/2018 at 21:04:56

Onawa Sentinel
14 March 1912

SALIX MAN'S BODY FOUND
John P. Hicks Suicides in Box Car and is Carried to Madison, Wisconsin.

Sioux City Journal: The dead body of John P. Hicks, the Salix, Ia., farmer, who disappeared from his home last Thursday, was found in a box car which was located on the sidetrack of the Northwestern railroad at Madison, Wisconsin. Hick's throat was cut from ear to ear and his face was terribly gashed. A new razor had inflicted the wound. It was discovered on the floor of the box car.

An apparent attempt on the part of Hicks to destroy all mean so identifying his body was foiled by the finding of a tailor's label sewn into the lining of his trousers. On this label the name, J. Hicks, and the number of the Salix tailor had been worked.

The sweatband of the dead man's hat which he was careful to tear out and throw away, was recovered by the authorities. It carried the Moore, Sioux City, stamp.

Hicks was a well-known farmer and had lived near Salix for the last ten years. Except for his immediate family he has no relatives in this part of the country.

He is survived by his wife and four children. Three of the children are boys, the oldest, Lee Hicks, being 6 years old. The youngest child is a girl.

Onawa Democrat
14 March 1912

SALIX LOST MAN FOUND AND IDENTIFID
JOHN T. HICKS SUICIDE—BODY IS FOUND IN BOX CAR.
Was a well to do Farmer— Disappear a Week ago—Sought to leave no Means of Identification.

Sioux City, Iowa, March 12: The dead body of a man which was found in a Grand Trunk Pacific box car on the side track of the North western railroad at Madison, Wisconsin yesterday has been identified, as that of John T Hicks, a well-known Salix, Iowa, farmer who disappeared from his home last Thursday. Hicks had killed himself with a razor.

An attempt on the part of Hicks to destroy all means of identification on his body was foiled by the finding of a tailor’s label showing under the lining of his trousers.