William A Markham

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11385684

From findagrave: OSAGE RESIDENT TAKES OWN LIFE

W. A. Markham, 78, Dies After Cutting Throat; Had Been Despondent

OSAGE, Sept. 30.—-W. A. Markham, 78, for many years a resident of Osage and vicinity, died here Sunday evening at 6 o'clock after cutting his throat with a knife in the hay loft of the barn on his residence at about 5 o'clock.

He was discovered by his wife who had been but for an automobile ride with a daughter, Mrs. Pearl Hobkirk of Osage. She called a neighbor, C.G. Gardner, who carried Mr. Markham downstairs and called a physician. Mr. Markham told Mr. Gardner before he died that the reason for his act was that he feared insanity. Relatives state that he had been melancholy for some time previous to his death.

He was born in England but moved to the United States at an early age and settled near Osage where he has lived for all of the remainder of his life. During his life he was an active worker in the community east of Osage where he farmed for many years. During the later years he and Mrs. Markham have lived in Osage.

Mr. Markham is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Pearl Hobkirk of Osage and Mrs. George Bush of Anthony, Kansas., and five sons, Ray, William, Alton and John, all of near Osage.

Funeral arrangements have been postponed awaiting word from Mrs. Bush. Burial will probably be in the Osage Cemetery.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, Monday, September 30, 1929]

ITEM 2 Aged Osage Man Takes own Life in Fear of Illness

Osage, la., Sept. 30 W.A. Markham, who slashed his throat while alone at his home Sunday afternoon died about two hours later.

Markham was found in the loft of the barn by his wife on her return from a short absence. She called neighbors and a physician. Markham's act was due to fear of invalidism, he said. He had made a similar attempt a few years go.

Surviving are the widow, four sons and two daughters: Ray, William Alton, John, Mrs. Pearl Hobkirk, Osage, and Mrs. Mildred Bush, Anthony, Kansas.

Markham was 78 years old.

[Waterloo Courier, Monday, September 30, 1929]

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ITEM 3 MARKHAM FUNERAL IS HELD AT OSAGE

OSAGE, IA, Oct. 1.—The funeral of W.A. Markham who committed suicide Sunday afternoon when he slashed his wrists in the loft of his barn was this afternoon in the Universalist Church with Rev. F. W, Miller, pastor, in charge, assisted by Rev. Jennie Hitchcock.

[Waterloo Courier, Tuesday, October 1, 1929]