Iowa Old Press

Marshall Statesman
Marshalltown, Marshall co. IA
Saturday July 5, 1884

William Cole, at one time a prominent builder and contractor and a member of the city council in '76 and 7, commited suicide Thursday night at his home on South Third street, by hanging. His wife, who went to his room Friday morning about 7 o'clock, found hanging by the neck to the bed post his hands tied together. He had severed into stirps towels, making a rope with which he carried into execution his determination to end his life. The body was already cold and had evidently been dead several hours. Mr. Cole has long been a sufferer from one of the most venemous and vile diseases known to the human family. Contracted in Chicago about 8 years ago. He had been at Hot Springs and at various other places, besides spent all his worldly effects in seeking relief to no purpose. Life was a burden worse than death and the end was no doubt a blissful relief from the agonies and humiliations of life. Mr. Cole was 49 years of age and leaves an interesting and respected family to mourn the cause and end of their father and husband. The funeral was conducted from the late family residence Saturday evening.

[transcribed by J.C., February 2005; submitter has no further information]

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