People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1895 — BEHEADED ON THE RAIL. [ARTICLE]

BEHEADED ON THE RAIL.

JProAaMe Suicide of Ira Cripps, Section Ross on The Bonen The people of Rensselaer were shocked yesterday morning by the announcement that Ira Cripps, section boss, had ended his life by placing his neck on the rail and having his head severed by the 4:45 north bound passenger train. Mr. Cripps was a man of good habits, industrious and faithful in his work, temperate and honest. He may have been somewhat profane of speech but was pleasant and agreeable in disposition. His education was but ordinary. Mr. Crippg was 32 years old, had been married for several years, but had no children. His wife,Hester(Hammerton)Cripps, it appears had on the previous day deserted his home, moving the household effects, and going to her father’s, Elias Hammerton, near Francisville, because of their unhappy relations. The first that Mr. Cripps knew of his wife’s departure was .upon his arrival home Tuesday night. It seems to have greatly affected him, and he hired a livery and drove out to her father’s where he was refused an audience with his wife. Upon returning he had his monthlv check for $42.50 cashed at Rosenbaum’s saloon, where he drank one glass of whiskey and purchased a half pint bottle more, paying 35 cents for both. This was between ten an eleven o’clock. He remained in the depot with Agent Royster and talked feelingly of his trouble. Coroner Wright found $42.15 on his. person, which would indicate that the 35 cents was all he had spent. The inquest w’as begun in Prosecutor Douthit’s office last night at 7 o’clock, but was not concluded, and will be continued to night at same place and time, when the wife and other witnesses will be examined. It was not generally known that the family relations were unpleasant. The funeral occurred this morning at 10 o’clock from the home of his widowed mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Cripps The burial will be made in Osborne cemetery. Being a member of the Odd Fellows’ fraternity that society will take charge of the funeral. Remember the new grocery in the Odd Fellows’ building. Ask your neighbor about our laundry work and they will tell you it is the best they ever had done. Spitler & Kight.