Iowa
Old Press
The Press
Manchester, Delaware Co., Iowa
April 22, 1892
CHARLES HERBERT DAVEY
SUICIDE-- Herbert, son of Geo Davey of Earlville, committed
suicide by hanging, Sunday morning last. Mr. Davey is a sexton of
the M.E. church, and before leaving for church, Sunday morning,
sent Herbert, a boy of fourteen, to the barn, to do some
necessary chores. The family, with the exception of Mrs. Dabey,
went with their father to church, and when they returned learned
that Herbert had not come in from the barn. He was found hanging
by the neck, from the rafters of the barn, dead. His legs were
bent under him, so as to allow the body to swing clear of the
floor, showing how determinde he was to take his own life. There
are all sorts of stories told as to the reason for this act on
the part of the boy. He is said to have been of a naturally
jovial disposition, and why a lad of his age, with a good home,
should end his life in this manner, is hard to conceive.
[transcribed by Rebecca Hansen, February 2006]