Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-08-29
HIS LIPE WORK OVER.
Superintendent John II. Flayin Suicides
at His Home Saturday-I1l Health and
Overwork UnbaIance His Mind
"A Prominent Educator.

The deed was not disclosed until about
10 o'clock Sunday morning, when the
hired man, who had gone to that part
Of the farm to water the stock, in
cidentally ran across the lifeless form.
The news reached the city soon after
the finding of the body and it was in
deed most startling revelation-an
announcement that seemed entirely
Incredible to those who knew the un-
fortunate man SO we'll. His most in
innate friends FASTENED to the familiar
country home on the North road and
there ascertained that the gruesome
report was only too to-. The greatest
surprise was expressed on all sides,
for every phase of Mr.. Flavin's sterling
manhood forbade such rash act.
Many an honest heart frankly told it's
sorrow and went out in sympathy for
those left to remember a brother who
in his rational being was all that
could be desired
The deceased was last seen shortly
after 8 o'clock Saturday morning,
when he left the house without ad-
vising the family of his prospective
destination. His failure to return
during the day or evening was not
alarming, for it was his custom to be
away a considerable portion of the
time attending to his school duties.
From the somewhat decomposed state
of the body, it is very probable that
the suicide was committed early Satur-
day and that the remains were ex-
posed full day and night.
Mr.. Flavin had been in poor health
of late. never having fully recovered
from serious attack of pleuro-pneu-
monia suffered last spring. Notwith-
standing his impaired health, he had
labored with his manifold duties un-
ceasingly until he was no doubt IN
very much overworked state. He
had not seemed his old self for some
time-a condition noted by his init
mate friends, but at the same time no
alarm was felt for him. 1t is very
probable that his illness, combined
with overwork, preyed on his mind
to such an extent that it became
unbalanced. finally resulting in the
taking of his own life. No other ex-
PLANTATION Of the suicide can be ad-
vanced.
Last Tuesday and Wed :esday Mr..
Flavln conducted teachers institute
at Neosho. after which he spent a
day in Milwaukee. returning here
Friday morning. He was driven to
his home by liveryman. after having
passed an hour or so with one of his
intimate friends.
In the death of Mr.. Flavin the state
loses one of its most prominent edu-
Gators and public men, and an exten-
sive circle OF acquaintance a most
valued friend, in the warmth of whose
congenial spirit many hours of pleas
ant intercourse and instruction we're
spent. The writer was fortunate in
being numbered in this class and
we but speak the sentiments of MANY
others when we offer this tribute to
our departed friend. No more kindly
nature than his is vouchsafed the
human race, and his never-failing affa-
bility, sincerity and quiet yet forceful
character made him the person he
was truly, one of Gods noblemen.
He was universally popular, still this
did not bring to him exalted ambi-
tlons. He was content to labor in
his chosen field of education, to which
his life work was devoted, and in his
quiet and unpretentious way he ac-
complished his every purpose. In
politics he knew his power and in his
day could have had whatever he de-
sired in his home county; but he
loved his work and nothing attracted
him from it. He won his friends by
his magnetic personality and by the
same attribute he retained them. He
was a splendid organizer and through
his tireless efforts brought the Dodge
county schools to their present high
state. His continued service for
twenty-five years at the head of these
of the time being
chosen without opposition perhaps
the best evidence of his wonderful
individuality and strength with tt
people, and that, too, in a position
where man is apt to acquire ami
mosities. This record of service in
an elective position is not equalled in
this state or perhaps anyoother.
Mr.. Flavin was born on the old
homestead forty-nine years ago. He
received his education in the district
and city schools, and afterward pur-
sued full course of study at the
Northwestern university. When he
was first elected county superintend-
ent he was serving as principal of one
of our public schools. Last December
Mr.. Flavin, in observance of his sill
yer jubilee as county superintendent
was rendered a reception at Juneau by
the teachers of Dodge county. The
occasion was very notable one. At
the last session of the Wisconsin State
Teachers association he was chosen
president for the present year, and he
was devoting his earnest efforts to
render the next meeting the most
successful in the associations history.
He had served a number of years at