Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-08-20

After having planned to be married
tonight and having been checked out
at the office of the American Railway
Express Co., Where he was en-
ployed as a clerk, John j. Anderson.
aged 80, went to the home OF his
mother, Mrs. Hannah Anderson, 1903
South Third street, at II this forenoon
went to his room and fired a 3S-caliber
bullet thru his body, just above the
heart. He died within five minutes,
without having made any statement.
The direct cause OF the shooting is not
known, but neighbors Of Mrs. Ander-
son and her son said that John had
been Respondent for some time, due to
ill-health. While serving in France
with the American expeditionary fore
es he was gassed and it was believed
by friends that he never had entirely
recovered from this injury.
Anderson was to have been united in
marriage to Mrs. Nina Thayer, sol
East Boone street, and had planned
to take a honeymoon trip during his
vacation, which began this morning.
He was at the office of the express
company early in the day and was
checked out to his temporary success
sor. Manager E. B. Abbott said, and
at that time there was nothing in his
actions to indicate that he was wor-
ried ora that he contemplated ending
his life. a..
Lives But Few Minutes.
1t is believed he went directly to his
home from the express office and at
ter brief conversation with his
mother went to his room. A few min
utes later a pistol shot crashed in the
house and the mother found her son
dying on the floor. Neighbors were
called and did what little they could to
aid the dying man. DR.. R. r. Hansen
was summoned but Anderson was dead
when he reached the home.
DR.. Hanson said the shot had ent-
cred the body just above the heart and
that death must have resulted in a
very few minutes. Coroner E. M.
Singleton later took charge Of the body
and decided it was not necessary to
hold an inquest.
Native of MarshaIltown.
John J. Anderson was born in this
city thirty years ago, the only son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Swan Anderson. The
father died here several years ago. The
young man entered the employ of the
Wells Fargo Express Company about
1907 or 1908, and served ten years as
messenger and clerk. After his return
from the war he was offered his old
position by Manager Abbott Of the
company, who had been manager Of
the Wells Fargo during Anderson's
service with that company.
Anderson was united in marriage
with Miss Frances Needham, only
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. c. j. Need
ham, city, but was divorced a few
years later. Mrs. Anderson was mar
ried again and both she and her hus-
band died in Arizona last winter dur
ing the influenza epidemic. A son by
the first marriage survives Anderson.
Saw Service Abroad.
Anderson was one Of the Marshall
county boys who saw service in
France. He went to Camp Dodge with
the contingent Of selective draft men
Feb. "a, 1918. He arrived overseas in
April of that year and was attached
to supply company, 11Sth infantry,
Thirtieth division.
He saw service in the Ypres sector
from July u to Sept 6, was in the
Somme offensive, Sept. 20 to Oct 20;
engaged at West Ballincourt, where
the Americans broke the Hindenburg
line, Sept. 25 to 81; at Ballicourt, Sept.
rs to 80; at Montbrohain, where the
Hindenburg switch was penetrated,
Oct and 7; at Brancourt, Oct. g.;
North Bohain, Oct. 8; Vaux Andiga-
ny Oct. 10, and on the LeSelle river,
Oct. II.
He was discharged from service at
Camp Dodge April 10 last, as a first
class private.
Mother is Frustrated.
Mrs. Anderson was Frustrated and
was removed to the home of a neigh
Dor. She could not discuss the tragedy
and apparently could assign no cause
for the shooting other than that her
son had become extremely respondent
because of continued Ill health.
With his approaching marriage,
however, 1t was thought ne would
show an improved mental condition.
He had often told neighbors of his
experiences in France and had said
he wished he could forget what he had
witnessed on the battle fields.
Mrs. Anderson has no near relatives
living. Arrangements for the funeral
have not been made. M