Jesse Allen Rouser

Mt. Hope, Kansas, Farmer Ties Own Hands and Then Plunges to His Death - Body Found by Preacher -- Mt. Hope, Kansas, July 7, 1915 -- J.A. Rouser, a wealthy farmer living near here, was found dead yesterday in a pool near a railroad bridge on the Mel Strong farm, four miles south and half a mile east by Rev. J.F. Hay, brother of Assistant Chief of Police Hay of Wichita. His body lay prone in the water, which only half covered it, and the hands were fastened behind the back with a wisp of binder twine.

Rouser had been missing since Saturday noon and as he was known to have some money and a watch, it was believed at first that he had been murdered. He had been working on the Strong threshing crew and had left, saying he was going for his coat.

Yesterday, after the coroner had come, however, an examination proved that Rouser must have taken his own life. He had secured one hand with the binder twine, hoking it fast through the lop. The other hand he had pulled through and made fast by forming another lop. He then three himself into the pool where he drowned.

Two men who had been seen with Rouser were detained by the authorities but after finding of the coroner, the men were turned loose. Rouser's watch and a trifle over $27 in money were found in his pockets. Rouser was 48 years old and unmarried. He owned a farm near here and a farm in Oklahoma. He has a sister, Mrs. Sarles, here and a brother J.E. Rouser, lives near here. He was supposed to be despondent over illness.

SOURCE: Find A Grave.com