The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-28
SHOT RANG OUT
IN QUIET CHURCH.
SHOCKING SUICIDE JUST AT END
OF SERVICE.
DR.. w. R. Owen of sublette, Ill, Ends
Life in His Pew, and Worshipers
View Fallen Body with Horror Had
No Known Reason for Act and Was
Probably Demented.

Just after the close of last night s
services at the First Baptist church, DR..
w. R. Owen Of Sublette, ILL.,, placed
a revolver to his breast and pulled
the trigger that sent bullet thru his
heart. Death came almost instantane-
ously. and, without moan, the body
fell limp on it's side in the pew.
dramatic ending to quiet service. Dr..
W. B. Riley had finished preaching on
:" Jonah at Nineveh. - The choir had
sung the last hymn and the last words
of the benediction had barely died
away when the large congregation was
thrilled with horror by the sound of
a pistol shot that rang thru the church,
followed by the whispers and commo-
ton to which terrified women and won
derlng men resort in the presence Of a
sudden tragedy.
Several men rushed up to the pros
trate body. They found life extinct.
The police were notified and the cor
oner viewed the remains later.
Letters in the pockets Of the dead
man showed that his name was DR..
w: R. Owen of Sublette, III.
Dr. Owen was a man of probably 60
years: He was a large, powerful man,
and very poorly dressed. From all APP
peear1:a5nces, he had seen the unhappy side
work and worry and sadness Of his lot.
He evidently went to the church in
tending to do as he did. He went
armed with 32-caliber revolver. He
walked into the church after the serv-
ices had commenced, took a seat and
quietly waited until the close, when he
fred the fatal shot.
The man was not registered at any
of the Minneapolis hotels, altho he is
cold +o bava cnont hic Lost ,,irht in
this world sitting about the lobby of
the Nicollet. He was evidently de-
ranged, as yesterday he called up Sher-
if J. w. Dreger and told him that he
was being pursued and was in danger
and asked for an officer to protect him.
The sheriff referred him to the chief
of police, but that officer was not APP
pealed to. " 10.
Letters in the pockets, found by the
at Garrett, Ind, to whom the coroner
wired for instructions as to disposal ct
the body. ~ -@ F- a.s@., ss e'r.,1 Il
Body Is Identified.
The dead man was identified today
by Mrs. Clarence A. Millard Of l721
Stevens. avenue, a former resident OF
Sublette, ILL.,, who knew DR.. Owen well
He called to see her on previous visits
in this city, and the fact that he did
not come to see her this time adds to
the belief that he was not right mental.
ly. Mrs. Willard says family trouble can
not be held responsible, as DR.. Owen
has been separated from his family for
thirty years.
"The family never lived in Sub.
lette," said Mrs. Willard today. CDR
Owen has lived alone in Sublette ever
since he came there thirty years ago.
He was very popular and considered an
excellent man. He was member Of
the Baptist church there and attended
regularly. I do not believe that bust
ness troubles could have been to blame
as he had a good practice, no bad
and elsewhere in illinois, He was ex.
ceedingly quiet and pleasant in his
manner, and am sure would never
have committed such a deed if in his
right mind.' -. :...t....4. s..