Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1907 — ANOTHER CASE OF SUICIDE [ARTICLE]

ANOTHER CASE OF SUICIDE

Anthony Castor; of (illn Ip., Tates Bis Life Witt i Slat 6nn. There was a case of suicide in Jasper county early this, Friday morning, and like one which occurred at Parr, ou April 14, or less than three weeks ago, it took place in the early morning. It took place at the home of the victim, on the old Jimmy Cooper farm -tp Gillam township east if the oil fields, now the property or Mr. Vanatta, of Brook - Bton.

Mr. Castor has been more or less insane in the past, according to his wife’s statement, and lately has been moody and melancholly, and disposed to brood and worry over small matters, tho none of his talk had caused any fear that he contemplated suicide. He has been sleeping poorly lately and was in the habit of getting up at four o’clock and soon after that, of building the fire and calling his wife. He got up at that time and his wife heard him go out doors and then come in and go out again. Directly after he went out the second time she heard the report of a gun close to the house but as he had been in the habit of shooting crows mornings as they came about the place, she thought nothing special of the shot but as soon as she was dressed she opened the kitchen door and saw him lying dead close to the side of the ht use. He had a rather short single

barrel gun and had placed the muzzle inside of or very close to his month, and bent over and pulled the trigger. The left side of his head and face were blown clear away. He stood with his back to the wall ot the house, which was bespattertd with blood and brains, and filled with shot from the gnn. Coroner Wright, accompanied by & physician, went np this forenoon and held an inquest, and his verdict will be suicide. Mr.'Castor Was born Feb. 4th, 1848, and his age therefore was 59 years and three months. He had lived in this county only two years and on' the present farm only since the Ist of last March. He came from BentOn ebunty there, bnt had lived there only a short time, coming there ffom lowa, He leaves a widow, two daughters away from home and a son about 18 year! old, and a daughter still younger at home. His funeral will be (held Sunday, at Independence church, in Gillam Townsnip.