Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1918-04-22

This was the last seen of him alive.
He called at the Tucker home, but
Mr.. Tucker had gone down town.
Late in the evening relatives and
friends became alarmed because he
did not return home and search
was instituted for him. Inquiries
we're made at various places in the
business district where he might be,
but he could not be located. While
searching for him, his grandson and
another young lad, met W. A. Johnson,
a brother-in-law of Mr.. Underwood.
They told him of the latter's dis
appearance. Mr. Underwood kept his
auto in a barn on the place occupied
by Mr.. and Mrs. Frank P. Spurlock
and Mr.. Johnson and the two boys
| went there to inquire whether Mr..
Underwood might have been there.
Mr.. Spurlock suggested that they take
look in the garage, which they did,
and there they found tho body.
Made Sure of Death.
Coroner Arth Foster was called
and he and J. F. Webb, Herman Rut-
| ledge and w. A. johnson took the
body down. While helping his wife
with the evening dishes, Mr.. Under
wood had evidently slipped pairing
knife in his pocket and with this he
attempted to cut his throat. The knife
| was dull, however, and the wound
made with it was not serious. Laying
the knife aside, he picked up a rope,
| fastened it over a rafter and tied it
about his neck, while standing upon
the running board of his auto. Then,
stepping off, he strangled to death.
Been Dead Hours.
Mr.. Underwood had been dead for
! two hours or more when found about
10 o'clock. The body was cold.
| Coroner Foster took it to his under
| taking rooms, where the inquest was
held this morning, following which
the remains were removed to the w.
| A. Johnson home.
Made New Will.
Mr.. Underwood made new will
Saturday morning. 1t was drawn up
by G. F. Tucker. What its provisions
are, are not known as yet. 1t was
| filed with County Clerk Swiney, how
ever, and will be opened and offered
for probate at the May term of court.
While making the will, Mr.. Under
wood appeared perfectly rational and
had very definite ideas as to just how
he wanted his property distributed.
He owned 800 acres of fine land in
Cass township, which constituted the
bulk of his estate. -, 1t is understood
that the will made Saturday differs
in no material way from prior will
made some time ago.
Mr.. Underwood was twice married.
He is survived by his wife and two
children, Earl, who lives in Cass
township, and Mrs, John Bosworth,
who lives at Goldfield A second
daughter died years ago.
Mr.. Underwood had been in ill
health for some months. He had
periods of extreme worry when he
became melancholy and morose. His
physician had several times urged
him to 60 to a sanitarium for treat
| ment and rest, but Mr.. Underwood
! could not persuade himself that this
would be of any benefit. He felt that
his mind was more or less affected
and this worried him greatly at times.
1t was at these times that relatives
feared for him and kept close watch
upon him.
A Pioneer Settler.
| Well known in the annals of pio-
neering in Hamilton county is the
name of Leroy Underwood. He was
born in New York state in Madison
| county, August 9, 1916. He was rear
ed at home and educated in the public
schools of his native state. At the
age of 81 years he left the parental
| roof and came to Hamilton county.
Here he purchased so acres Of prairie
land in Cass township, where the
Underwood family lived for almost 81
years. Mr. Underwood was ambitious
and energetic and applied himself
diligently to the cultivation of his