Lexington Intelligencer, February 09, 1912
Took His Own Life
Benjamin Gillespie, one of the best known and most respected citizens of Clay township, died at his home south of Napoleon Monday morning February 5, from the effects of taking carbolic acid with suicidal intent.
Mr. Gillespie had been despondent since the death of his wife about a year ago and lately had dropped several remarks that made his immediate family very solicitous about him.
Saturday he went to Bates City and purchased an ounce vial of carbolic acid. Returning home, he did not indicate by his actions that he contemplated immediate self destruction. Sunday night he insisted upon his son, who was in from Kansas on a visit, sleeping with him. Monday morning he arose from bed and after sitting by the fire a few minutes complained of feeling chilly and returned to bed. A short while after returning to bed he called to one of his daughters and when she entered the room he said, "I have taken a fatal dose" and reaching between the covers of the bed handed her the empty bottle. He immediately lapsed into unconsciousness and died in about thirty minutes.
Mr. Gillespie was about sixty years of age and was a native of Clay township, where he had lived his entire life. He belonged to a much esteemed pioneer family and though a man of rough exterior, was the soul of honor in all his transactions, kind hearted and generous as a neighbor and friend and a useful citizen in the community in which he lived.
He is survived by eight children, four sons and four daughters, besides several brothers and sisters.
His burial occurred at Bates City Wednesday, where he was laid to rest beside his wife
Took His Own Life
Benjamin Gillespie, one of the best known and most respected citizens of Clay township, died at his home south of Napoleon Monday morning February 5, from the effects of taking carbolic acid with suicidal intent.
Mr. Gillespie had been despondent since the death of his wife about a year ago and lately had dropped several remarks that made his immediate family very solicitous about him.
Saturday he went to Bates City and purchased an ounce vial of carbolic acid. Returning home, he did not indicate by his actions that he contemplated immediate self destruction. Sunday night he insisted upon his son, who was in from Kansas on a visit, sleeping with him. Monday morning he arose from bed and after sitting by the fire a few minutes complained of feeling chilly and returned to bed. A short while after returning to bed he called to one of his daughters and when she entered the room he said, "I have taken a fatal dose" and reaching between the covers of the bed handed her the empty bottle. He immediately lapsed into unconsciousness and died in about thirty minutes.
Mr. Gillespie was about sixty years of age and was a native of Clay township, where he had lived his entire life. He belonged to a much esteemed pioneer family and though a man of rough exterior, was the soul of honor in all his transactions, kind hearted and generous as a neighbor and friend and a useful citizen in the community in which he lived.
He is survived by eight children, four sons and four daughters, besides several brothers and sisters.
His burial occurred at Bates City Wednesday, where he was laid to rest beside his wife
Lexington Intelligencer, February 09, 1912
Took His Own Life
Benjamin Gillespie, one of the best known and most respected citizens of Clay township, died at his home south of Napoleon Monday morning February 5, from the effects of taking carbolic acid with suicidal intent.
Mr. Gillespie had been despondent since the death of his wife about a year ago and lately had dropped several remarks that made his immediate family very solicitous about him.
Saturday he went to Bates City and purchased an ounce vial of carbolic acid. Returning home, he did not indicate by his actions that he contemplated immediate self destruction. Sunday night he insisted upon his son, who was in from Kansas on a visit, sleeping with him. Monday morning he arose from bed and after sitting by the fire a few minutes complained of feeling chilly and returned to bed. A short while after returning to bed he called to one of his daughters and when she entered the room he said, "I have taken a fatal dose" and reaching between the covers of the bed handed her the empty bottle. He immediately lapsed into unconsciousness and died in about thirty minutes.
Mr. Gillespie was about sixty years of age and was a native of Clay township, where he had lived his entire life. He belonged to a much esteemed pioneer family and though a man of rough exterior, was the soul of honor in all his transactions, kind hearted and generous as a neighbor and friend and a useful citizen in the community in which he lived.
He is survived by eight children, four sons and four daughters, besides several brothers and sisters.
His burial occurred at Bates City Wednesday, where he was laid to rest beside his wife
Took His Own Life
Benjamin Gillespie, one of the best known and most respected citizens of Clay township, died at his home south of Napoleon Monday morning February 5, from the effects of taking carbolic acid with suicidal intent.
Mr. Gillespie had been despondent since the death of his wife about a year ago and lately had dropped several remarks that made his immediate family very solicitous about him.
Saturday he went to Bates City and purchased an ounce vial of carbolic acid. Returning home, he did not indicate by his actions that he contemplated immediate self destruction. Sunday night he insisted upon his son, who was in from Kansas on a visit, sleeping with him. Monday morning he arose from bed and after sitting by the fire a few minutes complained of feeling chilly and returned to bed. A short while after returning to bed he called to one of his daughters and when she entered the room he said, "I have taken a fatal dose" and reaching between the covers of the bed handed her the empty bottle. He immediately lapsed into unconsciousness and died in about thirty minutes.
Mr. Gillespie was about sixty years of age and was a native of Clay township, where he had lived his entire life. He belonged to a much esteemed pioneer family and though a man of rough exterior, was the soul of honor in all his transactions, kind hearted and generous as a neighbor and friend and a useful citizen in the community in which he lived.
He is survived by eight children, four sons and four daughters, besides several brothers and sisters.
His burial occurred at Bates City Wednesday, where he was laid to rest beside his wife
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