Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-03-11
CLARENCE ANsoN. pAtRYMAN OF
CITY, HANGS HIMSELF TO
CORN CRIB RAFTER.
ron AND DAUGHTER FIND
HIM AFTER BODY is COLD
Fourth Death in His Fathers Family,
and Sixth Among kinsmen in Past
Few Months = Arson Ties Rope
About Rafter, and stransIes to Death
When He Jumps From Trunk.

Despondent over continued i'll health,
and doubtless worried by reason OF so
many deaths in his family during re-
cent months, Clarence Arson, aged 50,
a dairy,naa OF the city living at 1412
West Main street committed suicide
by hanging a. about : O'Clock this
morning Il was not until after Mr..
Arson had been called repeatedly for
breakfast. and failed 10 respond, that
the outbuildings on the place were
searched The body. then cold in death
was discoy cred by Mr.. Ansons son and
daughter. suspended by rope tied 10
q rafter OF the corn crib.
The death of Mr. Arson marks
series of four deaths in his fathers
family. and the sixth Of kinsInen to
take place within the pas, few months.
Alva Arson, the aged father Of Mr..
Arson. died at the Independence state
hospital on June 90, 1910. On Jan. s..
of this year. Mr.. -Anson's younger sis
ter. Miss Indepen dence, died in this
city On Jan. "a Warren Arson. a
brother did here. In another branch
CT the Arson family Srursis Arson.
son of Henry Arson and a first cous-
in Of Alva Anson's children, died on
Jan. Is. at Los Angeles. Cal On Sept
90. 1910. Horace Arson. OF This city.
brother Of Ava and Henry Arson,
dropped dead at his home If heart dis
ease while walking across the room.
Dependent for Past Few Weeks.
Mr.. Arson had been in falling health
during recent years, and during the
past few weeks had been unusually
downcsst and despondent. Hardly more
than a week ago the family moved
from where they had been living. al sol
West Boone street. 70 the old Arson
home place. The family had no init
nation. however. that Mr.. Arson was
contemplating any such rash act and
the shock to the wife and children was
most severe.
Mr.. Arson arose this morning as
usual. and went TO the barn about I
o'clock, apparently to do his chores
When breakfast was ready. and wait
ing. Mrs Arson called ner husband. at
about $50. Getting no response, and
calling him again without any answer,
Mr.. Anson's son Calvin and daughter
Marjorie went TO the barn TO see If
any mishap had befaIlen their father.
Finding nothing out Of the way at the
harm other outbuildings were visited,
and in the corn crib the lifeless body
Of the father was found. al about 81 As.
Had Jumped From Old Trunk.
Mr.. Arson had taken a stout rope.
an inch and a half in diameter. and
tied about a rafter. Then to 1t he
had tied smaller hemp rope, Of about
the size Of clothes line and placed the
moose about his neck. Standing upon
an old trunk that had been stored in
the granary he jumped to his slow
death by strangulation. AS the body
was cold when the son and daughter
found It 1t is presumed that MIR. An
son ended his life shortly after he left
the house to do his chores.
No Inquest Held.
Coroner F. H. Boucher was notified
of Mr. Anson's death and investigated
the case From all accounts despond-
ency owing to Ill health was the only
cause for the act and the coroner de-
cided that no inquest was necessary.
DR.. Boucher took charge Of The per-
sonal effects found on Mr. Anson's
body, which consisted Of some papers.
q bank book, and a small sum Of
money.
!. Was Second Oldest Son.
Clarence Arson was the second old
est son of Alva Arson and wife. and
was born in Sandusky county Ohio
June 20, 1850. The family moved to this
county on Dec. "a. 1856. and Clarence
,Anson's home has been here practically
ever since On Nov. %, 1858. in this
city, Mr.. Arson took as his wife Miss
Melvina Hartwell. who survives aim
with two children, Calvin Hartwell ard
Marjorie Mr.. and Mrs. Arson lived
IN Denver from 1905 until 1909. and
since returning to the city has been en-
gagged IN dairying.
Aside from his immediate family Mr.
Arson is survived by four brothers and
one sister, Monroe. of this citv: Mrs
&C. c. Hyerstay. Of Denver: Elzin, OF
Marietta: Charles. Of Maxwell; and
Bert Arson, OF Portland, Ore.