The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-03-18
ELKTON BANKER
KILLS HIMSELF
ACT WAS COMMITTED DURING
OESPONDENCY FOLLOWING AN
ATTACK OF INFLUENZA
LEFT BANKS AFFAIRS IN GOOD SHAPE
Had Been With Bank Nineteen Years
and Was Unusually Popular
and Respected.

One OF the saddeSt and most re-
gretable cases of self-destruction that
has ever shocked this county occurred
on Friday of last week when O. w.
Marshall. cashier of the State bank Of
ElktOn, shot himself through the head
with a revolver, while temporarily in
sane from nervous and physical i'll
ness. A few weeks ago he suffered
from an attack Of influenza He did
not consider himself seriously iii at
that time. and after being confined
TO his home for several days he re.
sumed his regular work in the bank.
At that time the work of the bank
was unusually heavy, owing to March
first land sale settlements and income
tax reports, and it is now believed by
his friends that he overtaxed his
strength. He was filling the position
of cashier and it is said also was prac
tically responsible for all the work
Of the bank. He was a man who neg
lected no details of his work, as is
shown by the statement credited to a
representative Of the state bank ex-
aminer's Office who has looked over
the banks books and records since
Mr.. MarShalps death This official is
reported as stating that in thirty-two
banks ne had recently examined he had
found none in which the books and
records were more carefully kept; none
in which less evidence of incorrect
or careless work was to be found, and
that all accounts were left in excellent
condition.
Mr. Marshall, after his supposed re-
covery from the influenza, had ap
peared TO his friends to be in ordina Y
health. until the day preceding his
death. That day he left the hank about
11:00 O'Clock and went to his home.
Upon his arrival there he complained
of not feeling well, but seemed to think
all he needed was little rest. He
remained in bed the next morning, but
refused 10 allow Mrs. Marshall to call
physician However, she left the
house and from a neighbOr's home
called one. who soon came. Leaving
her husband with the physician, she
went to a store and purchased some
oysters, thinking to persuade him to
eat little. which he had refused to do.
When she returned the physician was
coming down the stairs from the room
occupied by Mr.. Marshall Just as the
physician and Mrs. Marshall met at
the foot of the stairway they heard
a revolver shot upstairs and Mrs. Mar
shall ran up the stairway, reaching
her husbands room just in time TO
see him fall to the floor. The bullet
had passed through his brain and he
breathed but few minutes. The cor
oner's verdict was to the effect that
the dead mans action in killing him.
self was due to temporary insanity
resulting from illness and overwork.
O. w. Marshall was little more
than 35 years of age. He was born in
Minnesota but had lived in this county
twenty-five years. Twelve years ago
he was married to Mable Haium of
Brookings, sister of Mrs. F. w.
Heintz. a resident of this city. For
nineteen years he had been connected
with the ElktOn bank, and through all
these years he had been held in the
highest confidence and esteem by all
with whom he came in contact with
in any way. He was member OF the
Baptist church. a member of the
church choir, and active in all matter S
connected with the church. He was
also a member of the Masonic order
and of the o. E. S. He was an i'm
portant factor in all business and so,
cial activities of his community, and
the loss of no man in Elkton will be
more deeply felt.
He is survived by his wife and lit.
the daughter, four years of age. He
leaves a brother. Herman Marshall of
Elkton, and two sisters, Mrs. F. A.
Buchholtz of Elkton, and Mrs. F. A.
Buckles of DEVILS Lake, N. D.
Funeral services were held Monday
at the home and at the Baptist church
conducted by the local Baptist min.
ister. and the local Masonic body had
charge of the service under their
ritual. Burial was in the Elkton GENE
terry. A number Of persons from
Brookings attended the services, among
the members of the Masonic order
from this city present being Fred S.
MINER, Joe Murphy, Henry Stearns,
James Brooks, Ed Sorenson, Joe Tree
L. w. Sutton, NJ. G.. Carlisle and per
haps others.