Clark County Clipper, November 10, 1927
THOMAS DEMMITT A SUICIDE
This community was shocked shortly before noon Wednesday, as the news spread
rapidly that Tom Demmitt had been found dead in the loft of the barn at his home
just west of Ashland, where he had evidently taken his own life by hanging.
He was first discovered in this condition by his son, Quimby, who had gone up in
the loft to get a pitch fork which he was going to use in hauling some feed. He
at once ran to the house and told Mrs. Demmitt of the tragedy and Dr. W. H.
Jones was called immediately, but Mr. Demmitt was dead when the doctor arrived.
DR. Jones is of the opinion that the tragedy had taken place about three hours
previous to the time his body was found, or shortly after eight o'clock in the
morning. Others were told of the tragedy and soon many friends of the family
had gathered at the Demmitt home to give such assistance to the grief stricken
family as they could. Paul McCasland was called to take charge of the body.
Before the body was removed from the loft, Geo. M. Grimes, sheriff, H. C. Mayse,
county attorney, A. Baker, justice of the peace, Dr. W. H. Jones and Dr. W. F.
Taylor held an official investigation and decided that no coroner's inquest
would be necessary,. the surroundings and evidence showing so plainly that it
was clear case of suicide. The deceased had hanged himself with a rafter in the
barn, by first putting a non slip loop about his neck and then tying the rope to
a rafter which he could reach from the floor of the loft. He had not jumped as
is usually the case in hanging but had evidently just let his weight off his
legs until he choked.
So far no message has been found which the deceased left to give any light on
his reason for taking his life. His friends and family can give no definite
cause. It is surmised that he brooded over ill health or possibly financial
affairs until his mind became so unbalanced that he committed the deed during a
brief interval of temporary insanity.
Thomas Demmitt was a man who was well liked by his neighbors and associates. He
was a hard working farmer who attended strictly to his own business and was
honorable in his dealings with his fellowmen.
The funeral services will be held in the Christian church in Ashland at 2:30
Sunday afternoon, unless it should be postponed to a later time because of
relatives coming from a distance.
An obituary of the deceased will be published in this paper next week.
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Clark County Clipper, November 17, 1927
OBITUARY
Thomas Andrew Demmitt was born near Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, August 5, 1873, and
departed this life at his home, just west of Ashland, November 9, 1927, aged 54
years, 3 months and 4 days.
He was the elder son of Isaac and Sarah Demmitt, having six sisters and one
brother; his father, mother, and one sister having preceded him in death.
At a very tender age he was stricken with infantile paralysis, which made him
helpless for a number of years.
When he was 5 years of age, he came with his parents to Kansas, settling in
Marion county, when that country was all open country and one of this dearest
memories was of he and his sister herding cattle afoot over miles of open
prairie.
On October 26, 1893, he was united in marriage to Addie Arretta Wyatt and to
this union three sons and three daughters were born, all of whom are living.
In 1909 he left Marion county, settling in Pratt county for 3 years. On August
3, 1912, he moved to Clark county, settling in the Ashland vicinity, and for the
past 15 years had called this his home.
In 1916, he gave his heart to God, uniting with the Christian church and was a
member of this church at the time of his death.
He was a kind, loving husband and father, ever ready to romp with his children
and grandchildren.
He loved boys and by his happy cheerful disposition attracted them to him.
He leaves to mourn their loss, his wife and six children, Mrs. Violette Minor,
of Ashland; Mrs. Imogene Callahan, of Minneola; Miss Avis Demmitt of Ashland;
Chelsea Demmitt, of Beaver Lodge, Alberta, Canada; Troy and Quimby, of Ashland;
also five sisters and one brother, Mrs. Mary Thrasher of Holcomb, Kansas; Mrs.
Alice Swisher, Skiatok, Oklahoma; Mrs. Florence Mullaley, Sebastepol,
California; Mrs. Laura Brenn, St. John, Kansas; Carl Demmitt, Fairberry,
Nebraska; besides a host of other relatives and friends who mourn his departure.
The funeral services were held in the Christian church at Ashland, Kansas,
Saturday at 2:30 p.m., his pastor, Rev. Asa B. Ingram, preaching the funeral
sermon. Interment was made in Highland cemetery. A large concourse of old
neighbors and friends attended the funeral to pay their last respects to their
departed friend. The Clipper joins with the community is extending
sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
_____
Card of Thanks
We wish to thank all those who helped and sympathized with us during this hour
of bereavement.
We also wish to tender thanks for the beautiful flowers.
Mrs. T. A. Emmitt and children.
Mr. and Mrs. Milt Wyatt and family.
Contributed by ~Shirley Brier~ October 23, 2005
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