Obituaries: W. H. Ricks, 1930, Winn Parish, LA
Submitter: Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
Source: Winnfield News-American
Date: October 17, 1930
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W. H. Ricks, Former Winnfield Teacher, Kills Self, Accident

W. H. Ricks, former teacher in the Winnfield High School, accidentally killed
himself Wednesday evening at 7:30 o'clock at his home in Monroe, when a bullet
from the rusty chamber of an old revolver from which he was trying to force
shells penetrated his stomach, causing instant death.

The revolver was a .38 caliber, long unused. Just after supper he took the
weapon into the kitchen and remarked to his wife that he was going to give it
a good cleaning and oil it up for possible use.

The report that burglars had been entering several homes on a nearby street is
thought to caused Ricks to prepare the revolver.

He secured a small file and hammer and placing the weapon on top of the stove
oven, attempted to drive the rusty bullets from the chamber by striking the
file with the hammer. The very first blow, however, caused a shell to explode
and Rick crumpled to the floor with a bullet in his body.

Mr. Ricks is survived by his widow, Gertrude Taylor Ricks, and four children:
Willliam, age 15, Roy, age 13, Margaret, age 11, and Hazel Nell, age 6.

Mr. Ricks for some time has been engaged in the insurance business in Monroe,
having been associated with the firm of the Pen Mutual Insurance Company.

Previous to that time he dealt in real estate activity and taught for a number
of years in the Monroe city high school, where he was instructor in
mathematics. He has resided in Monroe for about 12 years.

Before going to Monroe he was instructor in mathematics in the Winnfield High
School. He is a native of Mississippi but has lived in Louisiana for about
twenty five years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Monroe and was formerly Grand
Worthy Master in the Western Star Lodge of Monroe, F. & A. M.