Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1919 — YOUNG LAD ATTEMPTS SUICIDE [ARTICLE]

YOUNG LAD ATTEMPTS SUICIDE

Sixteen-Year-Old Son of Jacob Dewey Shoots Self With Rille. Ira Dewey, \the 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Dewey, residing about 7 miles south of Rensselaer on 'the Rensselaer-Remington road, attempted suicide Tuesday evening by shooting himself with a rifle. ' The bullet 'ipassed through the stomach and the left lobe of the liver, lodging near the spine. The young man was brought immediately to the county hospital and an operation performed and a drain placed in the stomach, but owing to the weakened condition of the patient no attempt was made to remove the bullet. It is understood the lad has a violent temper and was discontented with farm life, and on the evening of the shooting he and his father had a few words over doing the chores. He became very angry when asked by his father to assist with the work and refused to do so, and remarked that he would shoot himself. He grabbed up a rifle and ran down the road a short distance, shooting himself as above stated and falling to the ground before his father could reach him or wrest the weapon from his grasp. The outcome of his rash act is very uncertain, his condition at this writing being very critical.