TRAGEDY AT A FARM - CLYDE TURNER, 60 KILLS HOUSEKEEPER - SUICIDE FOLLOWS A SUPPOSED ACCIDENT
Two persons were found dead Thursday at a farm near here, under circumstances indicating an accidental shooting followed by suicide.
Clyde J. Turner, 60, was shot in the chest, while Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his step-daughter housekeeper, had been shot in the back.
A note found on the kitchen table, addressed to Glen Stoffer, of near Hamlin, brother of Dorothy, read: Glen: There was something after the chickens. I got the gun. Somehow it went off, hit Dollie in the back. She died almost instantly. Cannot live thru life now. -- Clyde.
After making an investigation with Undersheriff Charles Haggard, Oliver Mohler, coroner of Brown County, indicated there would be no inquest. Arrangements were immediately made to bury the bodies, caskets being taken to the house.
It is thot likely Miss Stoffer was killed Monday, Turner killing himself several hours later. While the note would indicate the shooting was at night, because of reference to the chickens, neither Turner nor Miss Stoffer was dressed in night clothing. The chicken house is several yards from the house. Turner was barefoot, while Miss Stoffer had bedroom slippers on.
There is evidence that Miss Stoffer was shot in the kitchen as she washed dishes, as several broken dishes were found on the floor, but her body was found on the bed in a downstairs room. Turner's body was in the same room. There are other bedrooms upstairs.
Discovery of the double tragedy came at noon, Thursday, when Mrs. John Livengood, a neighbor, called at the place. She found the dog shut up in the house, flys swarming about the door, an odor emanating from the place. With her son, Jack, she reported the matter to W.A. Taylor, who rents the farm from Mrs. W.V. Baskett, of Holton, but sub-let the house to Turner. Taylor went into the place, then called officers.
Turner's wife has been dead several years. The step-daughter, who was crippled, had been keeping house for him. Turner did not farm on the place but of late had been working by day for John Hoover. Previous to that he worked for Harry Schaulis. He had lived around Morrill 17 years.
The farm where the tragedy occurred, 2 miles west, 1 1/2 miles north of Morrill, was visited Thursday afternoon by Charles Walker, Miss Thelma Rick of the relief office, as it was necessary for Brown County to arrange for burial.
A double funeral service was conducted Thursday evening at Morrill Cemetery for Clyde J. Turner, 60, and Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his stepdaughter housekeeper. Coroner C.O. Mohler decided not to hold an inquest, as a note left by Turner indicated he shot his housekeeper accidentally, then killed himself because of remorse. Rev. Harold Sweezey conducted the brief double service at the cemetery. Burials were on separate lots.
Two persons were found dead Thursday at a farm near here, under circumstances indicating an accidental shooting followed by suicide.
Clyde J. Turner, 60, was shot in the chest, while Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his step-daughter housekeeper, had been shot in the back.
A note found on the kitchen table, addressed to Glen Stoffer, of near Hamlin, brother of Dorothy, read: Glen: There was something after the chickens. I got the gun. Somehow it went off, hit Dollie in the back. She died almost instantly. Cannot live thru life now. -- Clyde.
After making an investigation with Undersheriff Charles Haggard, Oliver Mohler, coroner of Brown County, indicated there would be no inquest. Arrangements were immediately made to bury the bodies, caskets being taken to the house.
It is thot likely Miss Stoffer was killed Monday, Turner killing himself several hours later. While the note would indicate the shooting was at night, because of reference to the chickens, neither Turner nor Miss Stoffer was dressed in night clothing. The chicken house is several yards from the house. Turner was barefoot, while Miss Stoffer had bedroom slippers on.
There is evidence that Miss Stoffer was shot in the kitchen as she washed dishes, as several broken dishes were found on the floor, but her body was found on the bed in a downstairs room. Turner's body was in the same room. There are other bedrooms upstairs.
Discovery of the double tragedy came at noon, Thursday, when Mrs. John Livengood, a neighbor, called at the place. She found the dog shut up in the house, flys swarming about the door, an odor emanating from the place. With her son, Jack, she reported the matter to W.A. Taylor, who rents the farm from Mrs. W.V. Baskett, of Holton, but sub-let the house to Turner. Taylor went into the place, then called officers.
Turner's wife has been dead several years. The step-daughter, who was crippled, had been keeping house for him. Turner did not farm on the place but of late had been working by day for John Hoover. Previous to that he worked for Harry Schaulis. He had lived around Morrill 17 years.
The farm where the tragedy occurred, 2 miles west, 1 1/2 miles north of Morrill, was visited Thursday afternoon by Charles Walker, Miss Thelma Rick of the relief office, as it was necessary for Brown County to arrange for burial.
A double funeral service was conducted Thursday evening at Morrill Cemetery for Clyde J. Turner, 60, and Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his stepdaughter housekeeper. Coroner C.O. Mohler decided not to hold an inquest, as a note left by Turner indicated he shot his housekeeper accidentally, then killed himself because of remorse. Rev. Harold Sweezey conducted the brief double service at the cemetery. Burials were on separate lots.
TRAGEDY AT A FARM - CLYDE TURNER, 60 KILLS HOUSEKEEPER - SUICIDE FOLLOWS A SUPPOSED ACCIDENT
Two persons were found dead Thursday at a farm near here, under circumstances indicating an accidental shooting followed by suicide.
Clyde J. Turner, 60, was shot in the chest, while Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his step-daughter housekeeper, had been shot in the back.
A note found on the kitchen table, addressed to Glen Stoffer, of near Hamlin, brother of Dorothy, read: Glen: There was something after the chickens. I got the gun. Somehow it went off, hit Dollie in the back. She died almost instantly. Cannot live thru life now. -- Clyde.
After making an investigation with Undersheriff Charles Haggard, Oliver Mohler, coroner of Brown County, indicated there would be no inquest. Arrangements were immediately made to bury the bodies, caskets being taken to the house.
It is thot likely Miss Stoffer was killed Monday, Turner killing himself several hours later. While the note would indicate the shooting was at night, because of reference to the chickens, neither Turner nor Miss Stoffer was dressed in night clothing. The chicken house is several yards from the house. Turner was barefoot, while Miss Stoffer had bedroom slippers on.
There is evidence that Miss Stoffer was shot in the kitchen as she washed dishes, as several broken dishes were found on the floor, but her body was found on the bed in a downstairs room. Turner's body was in the same room. There are other bedrooms upstairs.
Discovery of the double tragedy came at noon, Thursday, when Mrs. John Livengood, a neighbor, called at the place. She found the dog shut up in the house, flys swarming about the door, an odor emanating from the place. With her son, Jack, she reported the matter to W.A. Taylor, who rents the farm from Mrs. W.V. Baskett, of Holton, but sub-let the house to Turner. Taylor went into the place, then called officers.
Turner's wife has been dead several years. The step-daughter, who was crippled, had been keeping house for him. Turner did not farm on the place but of late had been working by day for John Hoover. Previous to that he worked for Harry Schaulis. He had lived around Morrill 17 years.
The farm where the tragedy occurred, 2 miles west, 1 1/2 miles north of Morrill, was visited Thursday afternoon by Charles Walker, Miss Thelma Rick of the relief office, as it was necessary for Brown County to arrange for burial.
A double funeral service was conducted Thursday evening at Morrill Cemetery for Clyde J. Turner, 60, and Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his stepdaughter housekeeper. Coroner C.O. Mohler decided not to hold an inquest, as a note left by Turner indicated he shot his housekeeper accidentally, then killed himself because of remorse. Rev. Harold Sweezey conducted the brief double service at the cemetery. Burials were on separate lots.
Two persons were found dead Thursday at a farm near here, under circumstances indicating an accidental shooting followed by suicide.
Clyde J. Turner, 60, was shot in the chest, while Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his step-daughter housekeeper, had been shot in the back.
A note found on the kitchen table, addressed to Glen Stoffer, of near Hamlin, brother of Dorothy, read: Glen: There was something after the chickens. I got the gun. Somehow it went off, hit Dollie in the back. She died almost instantly. Cannot live thru life now. -- Clyde.
After making an investigation with Undersheriff Charles Haggard, Oliver Mohler, coroner of Brown County, indicated there would be no inquest. Arrangements were immediately made to bury the bodies, caskets being taken to the house.
It is thot likely Miss Stoffer was killed Monday, Turner killing himself several hours later. While the note would indicate the shooting was at night, because of reference to the chickens, neither Turner nor Miss Stoffer was dressed in night clothing. The chicken house is several yards from the house. Turner was barefoot, while Miss Stoffer had bedroom slippers on.
There is evidence that Miss Stoffer was shot in the kitchen as she washed dishes, as several broken dishes were found on the floor, but her body was found on the bed in a downstairs room. Turner's body was in the same room. There are other bedrooms upstairs.
Discovery of the double tragedy came at noon, Thursday, when Mrs. John Livengood, a neighbor, called at the place. She found the dog shut up in the house, flys swarming about the door, an odor emanating from the place. With her son, Jack, she reported the matter to W.A. Taylor, who rents the farm from Mrs. W.V. Baskett, of Holton, but sub-let the house to Turner. Taylor went into the place, then called officers.
Turner's wife has been dead several years. The step-daughter, who was crippled, had been keeping house for him. Turner did not farm on the place but of late had been working by day for John Hoover. Previous to that he worked for Harry Schaulis. He had lived around Morrill 17 years.
The farm where the tragedy occurred, 2 miles west, 1 1/2 miles north of Morrill, was visited Thursday afternoon by Charles Walker, Miss Thelma Rick of the relief office, as it was necessary for Brown County to arrange for burial.
A double funeral service was conducted Thursday evening at Morrill Cemetery for Clyde J. Turner, 60, and Dorothy Stoffer, 34, his stepdaughter housekeeper. Coroner C.O. Mohler decided not to hold an inquest, as a note left by Turner indicated he shot his housekeeper accidentally, then killed himself because of remorse. Rev. Harold Sweezey conducted the brief double service at the cemetery. Burials were on separate lots.
Gravesite Details
DEATH NOTICE: Hiawatha Daily World - Thursday, June 11, 1936
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