Jackson County IA Archives Obituaries.....Smith, Charles J. October 24, 1896
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Ken Wright kenneth565@aol.com August 9, 2009, 9:15 pm

Maquoketa Excelsior, 
Maquoketa Excelsior, Maquoketa, Iowa, October 27, 1896

DEATH OF CHARLES J. SMITH

The Plankinton, Dakota,  Herald, gives the following particulars concerning the
death of Charles J. Smith, formerly of this city, which we mentioned Friday:
The most shocking affair in the history of Plankinton occurred last Thursday
afternoon. At about four o’clock that afternoon the report of a gun was heard by
all who happened to be in the vicinity of C. J. Smith’s barber shop and all
hastened to investigate. When the front door was opened a terrible sight met the
gaze of the crowd; there at the rear end of the room lay the body of Mr. Smith
covered with his own blood and by his side lay a double-barreled shot gun. Upon
investigation it was found that the greater part of his face and the top of his
head had been blown away by a charge from the gun. Willing hands assisted in
removing the corpse to the undertaking rooms of Mr. Groves where later in the
day it was prepared for burial.

Whether an accident or a case of suicide will never be known as no one was
present to witness the terrible death. One thing, however, is certain, if it was
a case of suicide it was done without a moment’s reflection as nothing is left
to show, or nothing in his actions heretofore goes to show that any such rash
act was ever for a moment even considered. Those who knew him best can not and
do not believe that he took his own life.

Charles J. Smith was born in Miles, Iowa, in November, 1864, where he spent his
early childhood and later moved to Delmar, and again to Maquoketa, where he
received an education and grew to manhood. In the fall of 1883 he came to
Plankinton and engaged as salesman with the Fullerton Lumber Company, having
previously had considerable experience in that line while assisting his father.
He proved to be a hard worker and never lacked foe employment during these many
years he has resided among us. In September 1887 he was united in marriage to
Miss Rerra Taylor, who has borne her share of the joys and sorrows and during
their wedded life of nine years has been an exceptionally good helpmate. On the
first day of January 1891, Charley was offered and accepted a position as
manager of the City Drug Store, which he conducted very successfully for two
years, when with W.E.Guilford as a partner he entered into business in that line
for himself, but owing to the limited capital of his partner and the decreasing
demand for drugs they were finally compelled to go out of business. His
enterprising spirit never forsook him and after a time he again engaged in a
former employment, that of barbering in which he was engaged at the time of his
death.

Deceased was possessed of all the good traits that go to make up a true man and
in an hour of trouble never wanted for true friends to assist him. His untimely
taking away has cast a gloom over the entire community, who lend a willing hand
and an aching heart to the comforts of the loving wife and aged mother. A widow,
father, mother, two brothers and a sister remain to mourn the loss of one near
and dear to them. Funeral services were conducted from the Congregational Church
Sunday afternoon by Rev. W. S. Shepherd 


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