The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-10-21
EX-SHELLEYITE SUICIDES

Andrew w. Jensen, for many years
head clerk of the dry goods department
of the Shelley Mercantile company, last
Tuesday took the poison route to end
his troubles. He left the Shelley Mer-
camille company's employment to start
a peddling business for a Utah gro
'cery company, which was the first of
many following failures, which, coupled
with serious family troubles, no doubt
drove him to end his life. OF his death
the Idaho Falls Register says:
Andrew Jensen, who lived at the
Falls House, boarding house at the
corner of A street and Shoupe avenue,
killed himself Tuesday morning by TAX
ing poison, dying in the office of DR..
Pendleton, next door to his residence,
as he watched the flames burst through
the windows and roof of the house in
which he lived.
The fire department saved the house
before great damage was done. Jensen
died within few minutes.
Jensen walked into the office Of DR..
Pendleton, who was watching the efforts
of the firemen, and did not notice Jen-
sen until he spoke to him. Jensen asked
how the fire was progressing and was
told that the fremen would put it out.
Jensen replied that he was sorry, that
he had set it on fire, that he had taken
strychnine and wanted to die. DR.. Pen
dleton hurried to the man asking him if
he was in earnest about having taken
the poison and prepared an antidote.
The man at first refused to take it, say
ing that he wanted to die, but when
told what he would suffer, took the re-
lief offered by the physician. The anti
dote was taken too late, as the poison
had begun its effect and the man sank
down in a chair, was lifted to couch
where he soon expired. Coroner Din
woodey was summoned and, after hear
ing the statement made by DR.. Pendle-
ton, decided that an inquest was not
necessary. LIZ
Chief of Police Larry Hansen was
in front of the police station about 9
0 clock this morning when q woman ran
to him saying that man had gone up.
stairs in the Falls House and was going
to shoot himself. Mr.. Hansen started
toward the house when the fire alarm
was sounded. He reached the burning
house at about the same time as the fire
department, and with the fremen, made
search of the upstairs rooms without
locating the man, learning later that
he was in DR.. Pendleton 8 Office.
Mr.. Hansen stated that there had
been trouble in the family for several
weeks and that Mrs. Jensen had stated
that she was afraid of her husband who
had threatened to kill her and the fam
ny. 1t is stated that she recently filed
divorce proceedings.
about year ago, having held a good
position there. Since his residence here
it seems that he has not been success
full in his business affairs and has held
number of places short time.
From all accounts the man went up
stairs with the idea of killing himself
and then decided to burn the house and
take the poison which he did, going to
the office of DR.. Pendleton to watch
the house burn.
carried out. Fire Chief Julius Marker
was painfully burned about the face.
neck and one hand. Jensen left a wife
and six children. Mrs jensen and the
children are highly respected by their
neighbors and those who knew them.
and she has the sympathy OF the com
jmunity.
We have known the unfortunate de-
ceased as an Industrious, honorable cit
izen, generous and devoted husband
and father, and hope that in the I'M
known future he will find a happier
home than the one he left in this life,
where he will enjoy the spirits of his
children he loved so much,