Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 222, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1910 — SUPERINTENDENT OF FLORA SCHOOLS COMMITS SUICIDE. [ARTICLE]

SUPERINTENDENT OF FLORA SCHOOLS COMMITS SUICIDE.

J. E. Todd, Brother-In-Law of Dr. W. L. Myer, Accused of Shortage, Ends Life Friday. . John Elmer Todd, superintendent for the past four years of the schools at Flora, committed suicide Friday morning by takihg carbolic acid. He was a brother-in-law of Dr. W. Ler >y Myer, of this city, and Mrs. Todd hai visited her brother here, being quice well known. Prior to being the superintendent of tfie Flora schools, Mr. Todd had been engaged in business in Flora and from 1904 to 1906 was a member of the Flora school board, and treasurer of the board. The state board of accountants had just made public the report of two examiners, who charged that as treasurer of the school board Todd was short $200.06, and that he had altered the records of his office to cover up the shortage. On Thursday evening the report was published in the Indianapolis News, and Mrs. Todd read it to him at the family home. He made little comment about it and the next morning arose about as usual and while Mrs. Todd was getting breakfast he was supposed to have gone to the barn to do' the milking. When the breakfast was prepared Mrs. Todd went to call her husband and as she passed into the sitting room she saw him lying on the floor. She ran to his side and found him dead. An empty carbolic acid bottle was by his side. Todd stood high in the community and was regarded as an exemplary man in every particular. The report was published without him having been informed of the discovery, which is the plan followed by the accounting board. Of Mr. Todd, the Delphi Citizen-Times, Democratic, says: “He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lena Meyers Todd, and two sons. Mr. Todd has been superintendent of the Flora schools for the past four years and had the highest respect and confidence of the entire community. He was a good teacher, an upright citizen, a loving husband and father,, and to accuse him of any wrong, without first giving him an opportunity to explain, is a shame and a disgrace.” Dr. Myer will go to Flora this evening and remain until after the funeral, which will probably be held tomorrow.