Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--WM. KELSO KILLS HIMSELF--In Fit of Despondency Blows Head Off With Shotgun--"Billie Kelso shot and killed himself just awhile ago!" Such was the news flashed over town just before noon last Saturday, December 27, and so universally liked was this hard working, quiet, unassuming Christian gentleman that even those who had only a casual acquaintance with him were paralyzed with horror, and many who knew him best refused to believe it until a visit to the home in the south part of town proved it only too true. No death in years has cast such a pall over the community, nor one that will be so long in lifting, and those who knew him truly feel that in his going something has gone out of their own lives that can never be again. Being deeply religious and with a pleasant smile for everyone he met, he was the last person in town one would have dreamed of ending his own life--an expression heard on all sides since his death. From all that can be learned he had been suffering from despondency for several weeks and on the occasion of the last service at his church in which he took part he stated that a dark cloud was hanging over him and that he did not know whether it would pass or not. It is believed, too, that he worried over the strike, for when he was not down town to find out himself the latest news, it was the first thing he asked of the boys when they came home. Such was the case Saturday, we learn. On one of his sons coming home that morning he asked what the situation was, and on being told that the mine was being cribbed, he seemed greatly discouraged, evidently taking the work to mean that the mine was being prepared for an extended shut-down. Some time later, and while the noon meal was being prepared, he stepped out of the house, without a word to anyone, carrying a double barrel shotgun. A few moments later, Mrs. Kelso hearing a shot, stepped out of the house to see the cause of it, and not seeing Mr. Kelso, went to the chicken house, in which direction he had gone, and the sight that met her gaze all but caused her to drop dead from anguish and horror, for she beheld the body in a sitting posture, the arms limp across the lap and with the left side of the face and head blown away. She managed to get back to the house with the awful news, when she collapsed, and for several days her life was despaired of. Coroner Adams was summoned, and after making inquiries and viewing the body he decided that it was such a plain case of suicide that no jury would be required. It was his opinion, as well as that of the undertakers who prepared the body for burial, that Mr. Kelso was standing with the muzzle of the gun in his mouth when the fatal shot was fired. Whatever Mr. Kelso's troubles may have been--real or imaginary--there can be no doubt whatever that he was temporarily deranged, for the unnecessary taking of the life of any of God's creation was foreign to his thoughts and life. Wm. Kelso was born February 2, 1866, at Achongree, Ayrshire, Scotland, and was therefore in his 54th year. He came to this country when about 8 years of age, ,his parents locating at Braidwood, Ill., and where he grew to manhood. On December 24, 1888, he was married to Miss Jane Dagan, also of that place, and about a year later moved to Higbee where they had since resided. They were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom, survive, viz: William, George and John, of Ridge, Montana; David, Mrs. Cora Brooke, Robert, Euphemia, Paul, Lavinia, Andrew, Margaret, Edmund and Vivian, all of this place. He is also survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Margaret Kelso, of Chicago, and five sisters--Mrs. John Lilly and Mrs. Wm. Chapman, of this place; Mrs. Henry Keir, and Mrs. Horace Bradbrook of Chicago and Mrs. Addison Franz of Battle Creek, Mich,; and friends to be numbered only by his acquaintances. He united with the church of Latter Day Saints at Braidwood, Ill., in 1879 under the preaching of Eld. Frank Lofty, now of Moberly, and so far as we were able to judge during his long residence here he lived a devoted, consecrated Christian life, and whose every day was lived as if it were to be his last--not through fear, but in a sublime faith in the teaching of his Lord and Master, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these my breathren ye did it unto me." He was made president of the church here in 1903, which position he still held. As the holding of the funeral in his own church would have meant that not a fifth of the crowd could have been seated, the Christian congregation volunteered the use of their church, and even than at least 200 could not find standing room. The services were conducted Tuesday afternoon by Eld. F. T. Mussel of Des Moines, Ia., assisted by W. B Richards of Bevier, both friends of many years. No better sermon was ever preached here on a similar occasion. It was free of eulogy of the departed, though volumes could have been said, as well as of any references calculated to work upon the sympathies and emotions of the sorrowing family and friends. Summed up, it was help for the living hope for the dead. The mother being unable to attend the funeral, as were George and John, who could not be reached in time, Eld. Mussel, with deepest earnestness admonished: "I feel to admonish you who are the sons of my brother. Arise, take up the burden and carry it. Do not let the weight fall on your mother. Hers is a heavy load, But you can lighten it if you will. Assume the task where your father failed. Overcome it. Put self out of mind, and gird your forces to lighten the burdens of Mother. Think of those who need yet are deprived of a father's care. As much as lieth in you, assume his virtues, avoid his errors, and the God of all will help you." He then closed with these beautiful and uplifting lines: (Poem followed) The body was then conveyed to the city cemetery and laid to rest with the full honors of the Knights of Pythias, of which order deceased had been a member for many years. The NEWS joins the community in warmest sympathy to the bereft family. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--ASBURY-CHAPMAN--Mr. Edgar Asbury and Miss Daisy Maude Chapman, two popular young people of near town, were married at the home of the officiating minister Eld. T. D. Williams, of this place, Saturday evening, December 27, 1919. The bride is the pretty and popular daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Chapman and possesses all the womanly virtues calculated to make her home life a happy one. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Asbury of east of town, is industrious and reliable and held in the highest esteem by all who know him. They will make their home with the groom's parents for the present. The NEWS joins other friends in congratulations and best wishes. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--Mrs. Ivan Alexander of Burton is the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williams. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--Dr. O. M. Long, a formerly well known physician of Harrisburg, died at his home in Columbia on the 26th. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--SUICIDE NEAR CLARK--Harold C. Jordan, was a lieutenant in the A. E. F., in France during the world war, ended his life sometime last night by shooting himself in the right temple with a 25-calibre Colts automatic pistol. The tragic ending occurred about a half mile from the home of Smith Edwards, where the body was found lying by the side of the road. Dr. Pope of Clark is said to be the first one to discover the body this morning. The young man was 29 years old. His home is at Springdale, Ia. He was a graduate of Columbia university and he and Mr. Edwards had formerly taught school together in Minnesota. Young Jordan, before the world war, had seen service on the Mexican border. While with the American forces overseas he suffered shell shock and his health being shattered he had been staying at the Edwards home since November 1, trying to recuperate. He got back from service in August. No cause other than poor health is known to which to attribute his deed. He is survived by his mother, two brothers and two sisters.--Moberly Democrat, Dec. 30. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--MISS BESSIE FELAND ENTERTAINS--On Sunday, December 28, Miss Bessie Feland most pleasantly entertained a number of guests. At the hour of 12 a sumptuous dinner was served. In the afternoon Miss Bessie introduced one contest, the winners being Miss Doris Thompson and Mr. Olen Smith. Refreshments were served. At 4:30 everyone departed, each feeling that the day had been most pleasantly spent. Those present: Misses Jennie and Nellie Hall of near Fayette; Miss Doris Thompson, Misses Eunice and Idella Atkins, Miss Eula Mead, Messrs. Jas. Long, Thos. Hall, Roy Shields, Doc Estill of Fayette, Clyde Naylor and Olen Smith. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--Born, Dec 26, to Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Sweeney, a son. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--Don Boyd, who is working in Marissa, Ill., returned to that place Sunday after a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Boyd. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--Mrs. Annie Spitson returned to her home in Crawford, Neb., Monday, after a visit with her father, J. D. Dougherty. Friday, 2 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 37--MISS LOUISE LOWRY MARRIED--Dr. C. K. Dutton has received the announcement of the marriage of his niece, Miss Mary Louise Lowry, to Elliott Wainscott, which was solemnized December 24 at New Haven, Conn. Mrs. Wainscott, who is a well-known Moberly young lady, has been teaching school in the South. She and her husband met in Columbia, some two years ago, while she was attending summer school at the University and he was in the secret service for the Government. She is a bright little lady who merits the good fortune wished on her by many friends in this city and county--Moberly Democrat. Friday, 9 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 38--Mrs. Wm. Kelso, who had the misfortune to lose her husband by death on the 27th of last month, received word Sunday of the death of her youngest brother. We did not learn his name or when or where his death occurred. The sympathy of all goes out to Mrs. Kelso in her newest sorrow. Friday, 9 Jan 1920, Vol 33, No 38--LAMBIER-BRADLEY--Mr. Geo. Lambier of this place and Miss Adah Bradley of Yates, whose approaching marriage had been rumored for some time, stole a march on their parents and friends January 1, 1920, by quietly slipping away to Moberly where they were united in marriage at the home of the officiating minister, the Rev. Robin Gould. The bride is the pretty and accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bradley of Yates, and whose amiable manner and sunny disposition have made her a general favorite. The groom is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lambier of this place and is a young man of proven worth and character and generally recognized as one of Higbee's best young men. The date--New Year's--chosen by the happy young couple for their wedding was of peculiar significance in the groom's family, it being the 22nd wedding anniversary of his parents and the 50th anniversary of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Laight. Few young people start out in life with brighter prospects than does this popular young couple, and that their pathway may be one of sunshine and roses to the end of the chapter is the sincere wish of the NEWS and a host of friends. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.