Lawrence Dodson

DODSON, JEFFRIES, MILNES

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 1/19/2025 at 07:31:11

The Wapello Republican, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, June 6, 1912
Page 3

(Muscatine Co) Lawrence Dodson, a well know young farmer of the community of West Liberty, blew off his head with a shotgun shortly after midnight Saturday morning. His body, with head and shoulders mangled, was found shortly afterward by his wife. No cause could be assigned for the deed, but the theory is given that he was a victim of hereditary insanity. Deceased arose shortly after midnight, but did not awaken his wife. He went to an upper room in the house and placing the shotgun in his mouth he pulled the trigger. His head was shattered by the discharge. His wife was awakened by the noise and she rushed to the room. Upon discovering the body she called in the neighbors and the coroner was notified. No statement was left by Dodson. It is said, however, that he was probably the victim of hereditary insanity, his father having been confined to the asylum at Mt. Pleasant. Dodson was 35 years of age and was married last January to Miss Gertrude Jeffries, of Tipton, and they have been living on Able Milnes farm, four miles north of West Liberty. The body will be taken to Tipton for burial.