Iowa Old Press

Mt. Pleasant Daily News
Mt. Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
Monday, April 12, 1926

EDWARD E. WHITE FOUND SHOT THROUGH HEART
Well Known Henry Co. Farmer Found Dead This Morning
Is Thought to Have Killed Self

Edward E. White, age 74, well known farmer and living just west of town was found dead early this morning shot through the heart. He was found about 1/8 of a mile from the house where he lived. A single barrel shotgun was found by his side with an empty shell lying on the ground and another empty shell in the gun. He was shot twice, once through the heart and again just to the right of the heart. His clothes were afire when found, his vest, coat, and shirt being badly burned. $37.00 in money was found on his person.
White, who lived on his farm with his nephew, George Smith, went to bed last night about ten o'clock. This morning when Mr. Smith arose about five o'clock, he discovered that Mr. White was gone and noticing that the shotgun and shells were also missing, called the neighbors and requested that they aid in the search for Mr. White. About seven o'clock a searching party composed of Al Walker, Lynn French and Henry Ericson found the body about an eighth of a mile away from the house. Coroner Cookes was at once summoned.
According to Mr. Smith, his uncle, Mr. White, had been acting rather queerly for some time and recently asked him to take him to the hospital before he did something desperate.
When White's death occurred is not known but a neighbor stated that she thought she heard two shots about two o'clock in the night.
Was it not for the fact that Mr. White had been shot twice, both shots probably fatal, the death would, no doubt have been a plain case of suicide. With this in mind, Coroner Cookes ordered an inquest and selected Messrs. J. Fred Koch, Pearl McClaran and John Fitzpatrick as a jury to hear the evidence. The inquest was called for two thirty o'clock this afternoon.
Mr. White leaves no immediate family but leaves one nephew, George Smith, with whom he lived and four nieces, Mrs. Martha Litton of Jefferson county, Mrs. Frank Metcalf of near Glasgow and Mrs. Robert Lawrence and Mrs. A.U. Walker of Mt. Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant Daily News
Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
Tuesday, April 13, 1926

JURY FINDS WHITE DEATH SUICIDE
After a full day of investigating, the coroner's jury which investigated the death of Edward White, reported this afternoon that death was due to a gun shot wound, self inflicted.
White, when found dead Monday morning was thought to have been shot two times as two holes were found in the body and an empty shell was found in the gun and also on the ground. At the request of relatives a full investigation was made and this morning an autopsy was performed and it was found that but one shot had entered the body, the other hole being made by the shot when it emerged. It is now supposed that he shot two times, the first time into the air to see if the gun was in working condition and again when he shot himself.
The jury consisted of Messrs. John Fitzpatrick, J. Fred Koch, and Pearl McClaran and the investigation was conducted by Coroner D.L. Cookes, assisted by County Attorney Nelson and Sheriff James Shepherd. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Hannah of Burlington, assisted by Dr. L.W. Laird and Dr. C.W. Gardner.

Mt. Pleasant Daily News
Mt. Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
Saturday, April 17, 1926

EDWARD E. WHITE
Edward E. White, son of Nathaniel and Mary Anne Rose White, was born April 24, 1849, on the same farm on which he died, April 12, 1926. The farm is located three miles west of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. October 25, 1877, he and Dora A. Bell were united in marriage. One child, Florence Effie White, who was born June 13, 1887, passed away August 17, 1917. His wife died many years ago. After her death he and his daughter lived with his mother until her death in 1897. They then lived on the old homestead until Florence's death. For four years a niece, Mrs. Lucy Walker, kept house and cared for him. Then he lived alone for a few years until last December when his nephew, Mr. Geo Smith and family went to live with him. They gave him the best possible care. He had been in failing health for two years past but was able to be up and around. He leaves to mourn three nephews, Frank Smith, Stockport, Iowa; Chas. Smith, Lockridge, Iowa and George Smith, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; six nieces, Mrs. Emily Chezum, Lee Mont; Mrs. Josephine Garrison, Excelo, Mo; Mrs. Arminta Lawrence, Mt. Pleasant; Mrs. Lucy Walker, Mt. Pleasant; Mrs. Iantha Metcalf, Lockridge, besides a host of friends and neighbors. Two sisters, Mrs. Rachel Smith and Mrs. Emeline Summers, and one brother, John Newton White, went before him in death.
Funeral services were held in the church at Oakland Mills on Wednesday morning at eleven o'clock. Interment was in Oakland cemetery. Pastor Frank Weston of the First Baptist church, Mt. Pleasant, conducted the services and spoke from Psalm 103:15-16. Mrs. N.C. Buck, Mrs. Bert Jay, Mr. M.S. Cromer and Mr. Weston, with Mrs. J.W. Jackson as accompanist, sang "Rock of Ages," "No Night There," and "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me." Many old friends and neighbors were present. The pall bearers were Al Walker, Wm. Nicholson, Henry Ericson, Linn French, Lafe Housel and Frank Upton. There were many floral tributes covering the casket. Deceased was well knownas a good neighbor and friend. His going is much regretted.

-----This community was shocked by the tragic death of Mr. E.E. White, a life time resident of this neighborhood. His kind neighborliness will be missed by everyone.

Submitted by C.J.L, Apr 2006