The Mount Ayr News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
June 22, 1905

Virgil STANLEY, aged not quite nineteen years of age, ended his life this [Tuesday] morning at the home of his brother, Herbert STANLEY, in the southeast part of Poe township near Caledonia. He emptied one barrel of a shotgun into his body below the heart, dying two and a half hours later, at five o'clock.

STANLEY and his sweetheart, a young lady about his own age, drove Sunday, to Bethany, MO., where they attempted to get married but failed because of their youth, no one would perform the ceremony. Returning home the young man left the young lady at her home and going three quarters of a mile to his own home busied himself in writing four notes to his mother, sweetheart, and his brother. In these notes he stated his intention of committing suicide, willed his team, buggy, and harness to his sweetheart, and asked to be buried in the Shaha cemetery.

STANLEY left his team standing still hitched to the buggy. The first that Herbert STANLEY and wife knew of his presence in the house was when he waked them by calling good-bye to them and almost at once they heard the shot. They ran to his side and found him fatally wounded. Medical aid was summoned, but his life ebbed away in a short time. He retained consciousness for some time, and spoke in tender terms of his sweetheart, besides expressing regret at his self-slaughter.

Coroner LESAN and Sheriff MILLER visited the STANLEY home this forenoon and held an inquest, C. A. CAMPBELL, J. A. MICKAEL and E. CORNELL being the jurors. They returned a verdict of suicide.

NOTE: In the June 22, 1905 edition of The Decatur County Journal, it is noted: "The deceased is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry STANLEY, of Humeston, formerly well-known citizens of this county. His sisters are Mrs. Tom PENNISTEN, of Leon, and Mrs. Fred SMITH, of Blockley (sic, should be Blockton). It is supposed that interment will be made today in the Shay Cemetery."

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
August 3, 1905

The following obituary sketch of VIRGIL STANLEY is published at the request of relatives:

Verge STANLEY, son of J.H. and Iowa STANLEY, was born in Ringgold County near Ellston, July 9, 1886, and departed this life at the home of his brother, Herbert, June 20, 1905, being at the time of his death, 18 years, 11 months and 11 days old.

May this short life be an example to the young. The subject of this sketch was a bright, young man, a dutiful son, a loving brother and a favorite among the young in the community in which he lived. By his loss, a chair is vacant in the home which never will be filled. In behalf of the bereaved parents, his three sisters and two brothers the entire community sorrows with them.

Besides the above relatives, VERGE leaves a host of friends to mourn his sad departure. His parents, three sisters and one brother were present at the funeral, and desire to thank the dear neighbors and friends who have been so kind to them in this their sad bereavement.

Funeral by H. D. SMITH, Pastor of Salem Church. [Interment was in Tedrow Cemetery near Kellerton, Iowa.]

Transciption by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2008

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