Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-13
Prominent Iowa Travelling Man
Dies a Tragic Death at
Grinnell
FOUND LlFELEss IN CEMETERY
Arthur L. Turner, Representative of
w. o. Messenger Paper Company,
Chicago, Kills Himself in the Gene
terry, Dying on wife's Grave-Body
Found Today.
Special to Times-R Republican.

Special to TimeS-Republican.
Grinnell, Feb. 13.-Not since the sui
eide of Arta Moore, a prominent lows
College student, in an Oskaloosa hote
several years ago, when her husband
unknown to the world as her legally
welded spouse, died with her. has
Grinnell been shocked to such an ex.
/ tent as it was today, when the life
less body Of Arthur l.. Turner, a prom.
inent resident of the city, and we'll
known Iowa travelling man. was found
| Lying over the grave of his wife in
the Grinnell cemetery.
| The news spread rapidly and it was
only few minutes until the cemetery
was crowded with a curious people
| Several stories We're Immediately set
afloat. some limiting at murder. The
general belief, however. is suicide. as
all indications point that way. The
probabilities are that Mr.. Turner has
been dead two days, at least, and that
he committed the deed last Tuesday
night, upon his return to the city from
Marshalltown.
The body was found in Hazelwood
cemetery at about 8 o'clock by Mrs.
Norris. the second wife of Joe Norris.
and step mother of Turner's second
wife. Tracks in the mud and snow
showed that he had gone to the grave
of his first wife and then walked to the
grave of his second wife, where he gave
way to dependency and put bullet
thru his heart. The body when found
had been dead several days. 1t was in
a half-sitting posture across the grave.
and the revolver was lying on top of the
tombstone, where 1T could not have been
dropped, but must have been placed de-
iiberately before death overlook him or
by some other party. The theory OF foul
play is not believed to have much TO
rest upon, however.
The son, who is working in Boston in
the employ of brother of Mr.. Turner'S,
has been telegraphed and other rela-
tives In Marshalltown notified. Until
some of them arrive the body will re-
main In charge of the coroner and fun
eral arrangements will be deferred un-
Til then. Turner was seen at the Cha
pin hatel Tuesday evening, where he
had engaged room for the night.
About 2 o'clock he went out for walk
and was not seen alive since.
Mr. Turner was 40 years of age and
was travelling salesman in the en- 4
ploy of the w. d. Messenger Paper
Company, Chicago. He has made his
home in this city for several years,
coming from Marshalltown. where he
learned his trade, that of n printer
For many years he was employed in
the Grinnell Herald office, and from
that position went on the road for the
Messenger people. He was married
about twenty-five years ago to Miss
Mary Holman, a prominent young
woman of this city, who died about
seven years ago. About three years
ago he was again married, this time tc
Miss Maude Morris. She died two
years ago next spring.
Mr.. Turner was very popular man
and was liked by every one who knew
him. He has changed considerably
within the past two years. or since
the death Of his second wife, and has
been drinking some. He often talked
of the death of his wife and it seemed
to prey upon his mind. Mr.. Turner
is survived by a son, Harry Turner,
young man about % years of age, who
now lives In Boston and is in the en-
ploy of his uncle, Ben Turner. hard
ware merchant. Mr.. Turner's only
brother. A sister Of the deceased is
Mrs. Kelly James. OF Marshalltown,
and four stepbrothers are living in
the persons OF w. c. and j. A. Rails,
Of Marshalltown: Robert Rails, Of AL
lance. Neb.: and Green Rails, Of Los
Angeles. Cal.
The funeral arrangements have not
vet been made. It is very likely that
an inquest will be held.