Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1904 — MAN FOUND DEAD WAS FRED TRUSSELL. [ARTICLE]

MAN FOUND DEAD WAS FRED TRUSSELL.

identity of the young man found dead by a hay stack near Fair Oaks last Tuesday, which is told in our Fair Oaks correspondence, has been established practically beyond all question as Fred Trussel, son of Arthur Trussel. two miles north of Rensselaer. envelope mentioned as having been found on his person was cut open and on the smooth side the following was written: “Oh father, dear father, I know your hearts are aching, but don’t give up the ship. Little Lewis will soon be a young man and will help you. Stick to the old farm and be good to yourself. Oh it is too late. I might have been all right and happy but I went wrong when 14. Fred Trussell.” Rensselaer, Ind, Also, was written on a card in the pocket-book, that a colt, some hogs and all his stock was intended to be given to (his mother, it is presumed, but the name of the person was so obliterated that it could not be made out.) This | card was signed Fred Trussed, also. His father came in yesterday and identified the watch, revolver, etc., as belonging to Fred, and the handwriting as his. The young man was aged about 27 years, unmarried, was of good habits, never drank, was frugal and had several hundred dollars saved up. His health had always been rather poor, but this summer he had been in good spirits and no thought of bis committing suicide —which seems to have been the case—was dreamed of by his parents, so-far as we are able to learn. Fred came to Rensselaer five weeks ago yesterday, to the carnival, and that afternoon drew SSO from the First National bank, where he had a deposit. Since that evening no one seems to have seen him, but as he had talked some of going west his folks supposed that he had left for the west suddenly and therefore did not worry very much about his absence. * Coroner Wright made as complete an examination of the clothing as was thought necessary, owing to the condition of the remains, ripping open the pockets, etc., but if there was any money on his person he failed to discover it. He will go to Fair Oaks today and take up the body and a further search will be made for the money which he is supposed to have had. It looks like a clear case of suicide, yet if this is the case, where is the man’s money, and why did he go to such an out-of-the-way place to do the rash deed? At this time no one has been found who saw the young man later than early evening of the day he disappeared from here.