The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1910-03-05
TAKES HIS :. :
OWN LIFE III
Joe Messersmith Ends His Life
With Revolver Dependency
and Poor Health Cause
Leaves Wife and Child.

On Sunday evening Attorney Joseph
E. Messersmith ended his life by shoot
ing himself through the temple with a
81 calibre revolver.
The deed was done in the kitchen of
his home on Sims street. He was alone
in the building at the time He, in
company with his wife and baby, had
supper at the home of his sister, Mrs.
L. A. Simpson, and left little earlier
than his wife, in order to see to the
fires and have the house warm for her
and the baby when they came home.
After fixing the fires he evidently took
off his coat and vest, also his collar and
tie. handing them carefully over the
back of the chair on which he sat when
he fired the shot that committed him
to eternity.
He was found by his wife, on her re-
turn from the, Simpson home, where
he had fallen on the floor. with the
revolver by his side and a pool of blood
on the floor. A physician was sum-
moned Immediately. but of course moth
ing could be done.
The shock to his young wife, his par
ents and sisters was terrible one, and
his many friends in the city were no less
astOnished: The cause is attributed to
dependency. although his friends have
never known him to be anything but
jovial and in good spirits. .'.... =.
Funeral services were held on Wednes-
day from his home. Rev. j. S. Bray
tield of the Episcopal church said an
impressive prayer and quartet consist
ing of Messrs. j. v. Jessen, Jay Reed,
J. Harry SERVER and A. w. Ellickson
rendered beautiful selection in the
presence of only the relatives of the
deceased. -
The K. of Ps., of which fraternity he
was a member, were in a body to
accompany the remains to their last
resting place, as were also a great
crowd of the young attorneys friends.
The floral offerings were beautiful
and in generous quantities. A hand
some floral pillow was the tribute of
love and respect from his brothers in
the X. p. lodge: a floral pillow was
also, presented by the alumni of. the
Dickinson high school: an anchor of
flowers from the bar association and
sprays of carnations from the Dorcas
society and Good Times club. Wreathes
and punches of cut flowers from indi-
viduals were beautiful and profuse.
The pail bearers were H. C. Berry.
w. F. Burnett, John Leask. W. j.
Littlehales. Frank Roquette and T. E..
VallaDcey. Interment was made in the
Dickinson cemetery.
Among those from out of the city
who were present for the funeral were
Attorney Andrews of Beach, T. H.
Poole of Bismarck, Commissioner H.
c: Short Of Medora and Senator A. l..
Martin of Sentinel Butte.
Joseph E. Messersmith was the only
son of Mr.. and Mrs. E. F. Messersmith
of this city. He was born in Bismarck
on November %. 1881, coming to Dick
inson about the year following. He
graduated from the Dickinson high
school in 1897. He attended school al
the Grand Forks university for a year,
went to the Minnesota university the
next year and returned to the university
OF this state where he graduated from the
law department. Subsequently he opened
law Office in Dickinson. About two years
ago he was married to- Miss Christine
HolemOe and 10 them a son was born
last fall.
Besides the parents. wife and child,
AOOA SAOSSAos ASAA0s 4s fAs 011upSUll, MISS
Carrie Messersmith and Mrs. James
Wood. of this city, and Mrs. Frank
Ferris of Little Falls. Minn., survive
the deceased.
j. E. Messersmith was,a good student
and possessed many good qualities. and
the unfortunate ending of his life has
cast gloom over the community.
For the present the widow and baby
will be at the Simpson home Hel
father and other eastern relatives were
unable to get here for the funeral. Kind
friends are doing what they can t.
comfort the bereaved ones in this city.
Team FROM ABERDEEN
PLAY WIHp-uP GAME
The Comnanv K haskethal taan orr