People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1896 — Suicide of Joseph A Timmons [ARTICLE]

Suicide of Joseph A Timmons

For some time it has been suspected that Mr. Timmons was mentally unbal anced at times, but the news of his suicide last Saturday morning was a surprise and shock to the people of Jordan township where he was born and raised and has always been an honored and enterprising citizen. At the last election he was the successful candidate for township trustee, but fbecause of ill health he resigned the office. The deplorable act was accomplished with a shot gun, the muzzle being placed to the side of his head, blowing off the top of his head mutilating it in a frightful manner. Death was instantaneous. The deed came without warning to any of the family, though his son Henry was at work but a few feet away and hearing the gun discharged turred in time to see his father falling. Coroner Wright held an inquest over the remains and rendered a verdict in accordance with above. The funeral occurred at the Egypt schoolhouse, Monday, Rev. B. F. Ferguson officiating. Joseph A. Timmons was a son of Charles W. Timmons a pioneer settler of Jasper county, and was born Jan. 3, 1847. He married Miss Jennie Wavmire about 23 years ago, and they have been blessed with eight children.