Obituaries: W. S. Teegarden, 1932, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: November 24 & December 1, 1932 Winn Parish Enterprise

No. 1

W. S. Teegarden, 62, of Winnfield Attempts Suicide

Despondency Over the Loss of His Position Attributed As Cause of His Action

W. S. Teegarden, 62, veteran railroad conductor, has been in a serious state
as a result of an attempt to end his own life by slashing his throat with the
kitchen butcher knife, Sunday morning at 6 o'clock.

Despondency over the loss of his position as conductor on the Louisiana and
Arkansas Railroad, a place he had held continuously for over 26 years, and
extreme worry over the welfare of his family because he was forced into the
ranks of the unemployed five weeks ago, is attributed as the cause of his
action.

According to the statement given out by his family, Mr. Teegarden has been
unable to sleep and has eaten practically nothing since he lost his work five
weeks ago, for fear his family would be brought to absolute want.

After an all night's vigil at the bedside of his youngest child, a 12 year old
boy, Charlton, who had fever all night, Mr. Teegarden, without any warning
whatever, he went to the kitchen and attempted to take his life with the
butcher knife.

One of his sons who occupies a bedroom across the hall from the kitchen, was
awakened by an outcry and hearing the thud of a heavy fall, rushed out to find
his father lying on the floor with the blood gushing from the open wound.

In addition to his immediate family, the unfortunate man has an aged father
living in Cameron, Mo., one brother, Lawrence Teegarden of Shelby, Montana;
another brother, Frank Teegarden, is a realtor of Cleveland, Ohil, and the
third brother, Charlie Teegarden, a conductor on the Rock Island resides in
Trenton, Mo.  Mrs. Jack Morrisette, of Alexandria, a daughter of Mr.
Teegarden, came to her father's bedside immediately upon being informed of his
condition.

No. 2

W. S. Teegarden Succumbs At His Home Saturday

Funeral Services Held At the Family Residence Sunday Afternoon

W. S. Teegarden, 62 years, veteran conductor, succumbed at his home Saturday,
after lingering a week as a result of an attempt to end his own life by
slashing his throat with the kitchen butcher knife.

Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. A. H. Cullen, pastor First Baptist
Church, at the family residence, Sunday afternoon.  Interment was in the
Winnfield Cemetery.  A large concourse of friends attended the last rites.

Pallbearers were J. W. Perdue, John Mosley, C. I. Rowe, J. B. Stoghart, of
Winnfield, and M. Ham of Minden.

Mr. Teegarden was born in Iowa, November 7, 1870.  He has been residing in
Winnfield 26 years, where he has held the position of a conductor on the
Louisiana and Arkansas Railway.  He is survived by his wife, five sons, and
three daughters.  They are: Harold, Harley, Kenneth, Bill, Charlton, Vallerie,
and Dorothy of Winnfield, and Mrs. Jack Morrisette, of Alexandria.  He is also
survived by one sister and a number of brothers, all who reside in northern
states.