Knox, John (DOD: 10-3-1917)

KNOX

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 8/4/2024 at 18:58:56

PARTICULARS OF THE JOHN KNOX SUICIDE
Inquest Shows That Chronic Illness Was Cause of Sad Tragedy

Marcus News – The community was shocked Wednesday evening to her of the tragic death of John Knox, one of the most highly esteemed pioneer business men and citizens of Marcus, who for thirty years had been identified closely with the activities of the community.

Noticing his absence Wednesday forenoon, members of his family believed that he had gone to Sioux City on the morning train, but when he failed to return home on the evening train, his sons at once started out on a search for him. Going to one of the town wells north of the railroad track, they found their father’s hat and coat. They secured a rope and a hook and putting it into the bottom of the well, located the body and brought it to the surface. The well is about twenty-five feet deep, with about twenty feet of water.

The body was taken to the Brink undertaking parlors where it was prepared last night for burial.

Jos. S. Green of Cherokee, the county coroner, was here this forenoon and held an inquest as to the cause of death and the finding of the jury was as follows:
“At an inquest held at Marcus, Ia., before Jos. S. Green, coroner of Cherokee county, the jury in said inquest returns a verdict that the deceased, John Knox, came to his death by drowning, with suicidal intent, while temporarily deranged, caused by a chronic illness. Dated at Marcus, Ia., October 4, 1917. Jos. S. Green, coroner of Cherokee county, Iowa.

The funeral services will be held on Saturday morning at the Methodist church. The pall bearers will be James Rae, C. W. Cisne, F. F. Collier, John Sweet, S. M. Wixcel land J. E. Walsh.

The community is saddened to hear of the death of this well-liked citizen, and sincere sympathy is extended to the sons and their families in their great bereavement. (Source: The Semi-Weekly Democrat, Cherokee, IA, Mon., October 8, 1917, pg. 1)