A Tragic End for a Prosperous Rancher
A wealthy farmer near Wilbur, recently come into an inheritance, takes his own life following erratic behavior.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Wilbur, Wash.—Wade Cole, a prosperous rancher, about 35 years of age, committed suicide at his place northwest of Hesseltine and about 18 miles from Wilbur. His absence from his house was noticed at noon and a search was instituted, with the result that his body was found hanging by a strap from a small sapling about 100 yards from his home, with his feet touching the ground and his knees slightly bent. His actions had been noticeably queer lately, especially some of his business transactions. His affairs were in a very prosperous condition, as he was left about $4,000 by Gordon, his neighbor, who was blown up by dynamite about six months ago, and this with the property he already had, made him comparatively well off. His parents are still living in Virginia, and he leaves a wife and a young child about six weeks old.
“His actions had been noticeably queer lately, especially some of his business transactions.”
This somber account highlights the isolation and mental health struggles that could go unnoticed in the rural American West, even amidst outward prosperity. Today, such stories remain a poignant reminder of the importance of community support networks in agricultural regions.
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