Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-22
{. \. WILBUR HANGS
HIMSELF N STORE
Purchaser of Mutual Benefit Gro
Gerry Commits suicide--Fomd
Hanging From Rafter
CAUSE is NOT KNOWN
KNOWN
NOT
Financial or Family Troubles Not
Supposed to Have Weighed Upon
His Mind-lntended Going to I'LL
nois After His Family-No Letters
or Other Missives Were Left.

With a rope noosed around his neck
and Fastened to the rafters of the floor
above, the dead body of E. H. Wilbur
was found at 1880 o'clock this morning,
hanging in the gloom of the cellar UNI
der THE Mutual Benefit grocery store, 3
East State street, which Mr.. Wilbur
had purchased of r. r. Waterbury on
Thursday. Altho Coroner H II. Mich
OILS and the sheriff's officers have been
Investigating, no clue has been found
which might reveal the cause which
led the man to end his life
Burt Wietllolter, young man en-
ployed in the store, saw the dim out
line of his employers form when he
went into the basement for goods this
morning. The store had just been
opened by the clerks. who thought it
strange that Mr.. Wilbur did not put
in an appearance. The small rope used
had been Topped about a brace between
two Of the rafters, and, mounting a
box, the slip moose had been adjusted
to the neck. The box was then kicked
away, and death resulted from strang-
ulation. From an examination of the
body Coroner Nichols believes the end
came late Sunday afternoon, or some
time early Sunday evening.
Causes Are Lacking.
Not the slightest trace of a cause is
known, alnho there are no immediate
relatives living here, who might shed
Nv. yHyill,,1r
since he came from Grundy Center
here, had, to all appearances, so those
say who knew and worked with him,
been cheerful, and apparently happy,
and interested in the business which
he had just bought. SO far as is known
he was last seen alive about noon on
Sunday. In conversation then he said
he was going to leave today for Elva-
ston, HI, to get his wife and little
baby, who were there visiting with the
formers father. His finances. so far
as can be learned. were in good shape.
Thursday he paid the purchase price
for the stock, butshis bank book show.
ed a balance of several hundred dollars
to his credit. About $3.50 in cash and
checks were found in the store. where
they had been hidden by him. His
clothing was searched, as was also the
residence at los West Lincoln street,
which he had rented, but neither re-
vealed anything in the wayF.of word
left that might show cause for the
rash act.
Highly Respected in Grundy Center.
In Gr,lndy Center, where Mr.. Wilbur
had been living since 1890, and where
he :,
he held the highest respect and conf
dence OF a large circle of business and
church friends He was considered one
of the best grocerymen of that place,
and came there from Des Moines,
where he had learned the business
with his father. During recent months,
he had been receiver in bankruptcy
for the firm of Jacobson & Co., in
whose failure he lost about $4,000. He
was an elder in the First Presbyterian
church, and the news of his death
caused a sensation there this. morning.
There, as here, no cause can be as
signed.
Relative Was Coming Today.
Mr.. Wilbur has two brothers-in law
Charles and Harry Jacobs. The form
er was expected here this afternoon to
enter the business and assist in it's
management. A cousin of Mrs. Will
bur, Mrs. w. ]. Heald, lives in this
city. Seeing notice of his arrival in
the city in the T.-R. Saturday, she
drove to the store this morning to greet
Mr.. Wilbur, only to find, when she
arrived, that his dead body had just
been discovered.
Mr.. Wilbur was about 40 years Of
age, and had been married for six
years. His wife's maiden name was
Luta Jacobs. The relatives were sum-
moned by telegraph this morning, but
no arrangements have been made for
the funeral. An inquest will probably
not be held unless later developments
warrant one Until an administrator
is /. appointed the sheriff, who took
charge OF the store, will remain in con-
troll. Mr.. Wilbur's nearest relatives are
his mother and sisters, who live in Des
Moines.