WAUPACA REPUBLICAN POST

December 12, 1912

 

GEORGE RHODES A SUICIDE.

 

Gun Found Near Body Would Indicate That Shot Causing Death was Self Inflicted.

 

            Monday morning when Mrs. George Rhodes arose at 7:15 her attention was attracted to a door that was ajar and looking out she could see the legs of a man near the wood pile.

            On further investigation she found the lifeless body of her husband with a large wound in the back of the head and a double barrel gun lying close by.

            Coroner Barnes was called and he impaneled a jury consisting of L.L. Churchill, E.M. Worby, Frank Carpenter, J.P. Peterson and Guy Lyons.  They found for verdict that deceased came to his death by a gun shot wound, self-inflicted while under a temporary fit of insanity and despondency.

            Deceased was born in Russia, Nekremer [Herkimer] County, New York, in 1864 and was at the time of his death forty-nine years of age.  He came to Waupaca county when a small child and had an extensive acquaintance in this city and vicinity.  He was engaged in the barber business at Wild Rose several years and later resided at Almond.  About five years ago he suffered a severe illness which terminated in so affecting his reason that he was committed to the Northern Hospital in August, where he remained till the following March.

            About three years ago he came to this city and secured the position of sexton of the Waupaca cemetery.  The last few days his family could detect that he was not well and they urged him to consult a physician but he stubbornly refused.  He could not be persuaded to rest and Saturday he worked at breaking boulders in his lot though he was urged to desist from such work while indisposed.

            Deceased is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Louis Olson and Miss Bernice Rhodes of this city.  He is survived by a brother, John Rhodes of Rhinelander and a sister, Mrs. James McAllister of Adams county.

            The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at one o’clock at the home and at two o’clock at the First Baptist church, Rev. Milne officiating.