The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, November 7, 1907 'CHARITON STUNNED' The Death of F.R. Crocker Has Awe Stricken the Entire City. - - - - - - - - - - - - - F.R. CROCKER is dead. For twenty years he has been the foremost citizen of the city and county. Men relied upon him as a giant of strength, and it is hard to realize that he took his own life rather than face the shame caused by his weakness, that of betraying confidences of friends and speculating on the funds entrusted to his care. But it is not our sphere to censure. He has gone to the Court of Final Review, where the deeds of all men are weighed justly and rewards meted out accordingly. With all his imperfections, brought to the surface in the last days, let us remember him as we thought he was rather than what he proved to be, for it is plesanter to look upon the features of a good man than one marred with imperfections, but at the same time reject his emulation and erase all visions of the past tending toward that of the model. This is charitable. Perhaps it will be a hard thing for those who suffer, to do, but after all, it is best. F.R. CROCKER has had a remarkable career and little did any one dream that after his many exhibitions of strength, his contact with affairs, that he would, in the silence of the night, administer poison, to end his own life. And then contemplate the circumstance. He had played a bold game and -- lost. Thinking of him -- in his accustomed orderly method penning instructions, during the silent wakes of the night, to the various members of his family and business companions, letters of instruction and explanation, and when finished seeking his couch, calmly, to awake in eternity -- in a strange country, amid strange scenes -- before the great white throne. Imagry. He died as he lived -- an enigma. In the days of his prosperity he made provision for his family by ample life insurance, $60,000 or $75,000 perhaps. This was commendable but by many whom he has wronged, if wrong he has done, this will be hailed as unjust to them. But those of his household were innocent -- th! ey have a right to his protection inequal as it may seem. The deceased was a strange character. We can read it now. Before we were blind. He had a magnetism about him hard to resist. He attracted men toward him -- even those who doubted him. There was nothing about his nature repulsive -- though vindictive when crossed in his plans -- but he had the faculty of reconciliation in a large measure. He was always lavish in the use of money -- this brought him confidences and defenders and enemies, if enemies he had, sought silence. He was conservative in nothing. His liberality built up a great business and his liberality ruined it. His liberality was akin to recklessness. His abilities were like the tides of a great river -- a mighty beneficient force when properly restrained but ruin when left without the guiding confines. As long as Hon. S.H. MALLORY lived he restrained him. The executive faculty of the one and the guiding influence of the other worked in harmony, but when MR. MALLORY was gone that vanity in the other predominated. Caution was a thing unknown. That inordinate desire for power and glitter and wealth had full sway and the current has run its course. Let it be a lesson to others. Deceased was 50 years of age. He came to Chariton in 1875. Three years later he secured a position as errand boy in the bank he finally managed. About fifteen years ago he was elected cashier. He leaves a wife and five children. GUILFORD is 21 years of age, RICHARD 17, PAUL 11, JESSIE 19, and MARY 8. Funeral services were held at the home on Sunday at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Revs. Whitten, former rector here, and Hakes. The remains were taken to Minneapolis, where he has three sisters residing, for interment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 17, 2004 [email protected]