Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....McNeil, Fred 1918
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net August 17, 2011, 11:48 am

Portland Review, 24 Sep 1918

Suicide a Mystery

Hard to Decide Why Fred McNeil Took His Life.

Prominent Sebewa Farmer and Stock-buyer Hangs Self.

When Body Was found by Hired Man He Had Been Dead More Than an Hour.

There is talk that Fred McNeil, well known Sebewa farmer and stock-buyer, who
committed suicide by hanging, Monday noon, had showed signs of late that
something was troubling his mind, but what it was may never be known.  He was 36
years old and within the draft age, which is held by some to have caused him
uneasiness.  It is said he did not enter into discussions of the draft with any
show of spirit.

During the forenoon he walked from his own farm, which was formerly the Sam Gunn
place, west of the Sebewa Center church and schoolhouse, to the Wm. Priestman
farm a short distance east, where he had sheep pastured.  No one lives on this
place.  Climbing up toward the roof of the barn there he fastened an ordinary
tie rope to a beam and with a noose around his neck, jumped.  When found an hour
and a half later by his wife and Melvin Fender, the hired man, his feet were
within a foot of the ground floor of the barn.  That he died of strangulation,
and not of a broken neck, was the opinion of those who examined the body.

He left the house during the forenoon, telling his wife that he was going to
feed the sheep and then go on to Henry Whorley’s.  When at noon he had not
returned inquiry was made in the neighborhood by telephone and none of the
neighbors had seen him.  Fearing he might have met with some mishap on the
Priestman farm, where he kept the sheep, Mrs. McNeil and the hired man went over
there.  Fender entered the barn first and at once saw what had happened. 
McNeil’s hat was on the beam to which he had fastened the rope.  No message of
any kind was found.

Charles McNeil, Fred’s father, died in the same manner in his own sheep shed
five years ago.  The former owner of the farm where the son took his life,
William Priestman, was shot to death by Ralph Walker, his son-in-law, at Lake
Odessa several years ago.

Fred McNeil was 36 years old and in good financial circumstances.  He bought
stock in the vicinity, making frequent shipments from Sunfield, and was a
successful business man.  Fourteen years ago he married Miss Carrie Smith. 
There are no children.  The brothers are Miol, Lester, Clyde, Bert and Theron,
all living in this vicinity.  He carried an insurance on his life, but it is
doubtful whether the policy will be paid, considering the manner of his demise.

Funeral services were held at the Center church Wednesday afternoon and burial
was in the Sebewa township cemetery.


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