Every community has its share of tragedies. Nearly seventy years ago a particular incident shocked the quiet town of Russell.
It was August 23, 1898. Only a handful of Russell's senior citizens remember the day. To the early morning riser word was spreading of a grim finding at the Newell residence. William Newell, his wife and daughter Madge were all found dead, an apparent double murder and suicide.
Newell was a local clothing merchant whose business was located in the west part of the building now occupied by Merle Chester. In an ad in Russell's newspaper in 1897, Mr. Newell assured customers he would undersell everybody else on suits, coats, pants or vests. He professed: "No firm offers such elegant goods as the ones I represent."
It was August 23, 1898. Only a handful of Russell's senior citizens remember the day. To the early morning riser word was spreading of a grim finding at the Newell residence. William Newell, his wife and daughter Madge were all found dead, an apparent double murder and suicide.
Newell was a local clothing merchant whose business was located in the west part of the building now occupied by Merle Chester. In an ad in Russell's newspaper in 1897, Mr. Newell assured customers he would undersell everybody else on suits, coats, pants or vests. He professed: "No firm offers such elegant goods as the ones I represent."
Pictured at left is the Newell residence in the west part of Russell as it appears today.
The newspapers gave dramatic accounts typical of journalism of that era. In Des Moines The Iowa State Register was filled with the latest news of our boys in the Spanish-American War. However, space was given for this account of the local tragedy:
The newspapers gave dramatic accounts typical of journalism of that era. In Des Moines The Iowa State Register was filled with the latest news of our boys in the Spanish-American War. However, space was given for this account of the local tragedy:
THREE LIVES ARE BLOTTED OUT
Business Reverses Supposed to Have Deranged His Mind and
Caused the Rash Act Triple Tragedy At Russell
Chariton, Aug. 23 - Special: William Newell, a clothing merchant, of Russell, shot and killed his wife and 8-year-old daughter, Madge, and then shot himself this morning about 2 o'clock. His wife was in bed, apparently asleep, and was shot through the head. The girl, in the other room, was shot through the heart. He was shot in the eye. Worry over financial matters is supposed to have affected his mind and caused the rash act, as he was always the most loveable husband and father. Yesterday he gave a mortgage on his stock to a Keokuk firm for $300, when other creditors began to press him. His son, who was in Omaha, came home today.
Jerry Cadagan, a neighbor, and Mrs. J.F. Sprague, heard the shots and thought that they were fired by someone in the street. This morning R.F.Huston and Pat Ford went by the house, went to the door and knocked, but receiving no answer, went in and found the bodies. The coroner's inquest was held by Dr. J.H. Stanton, of Chariton. The funerals will occur at 12 o'clock Wednesday at Melrose, Iowa, by the I.O.O.F.
This large stone with accompanying smaller stones mark the resting place of the Newell family in the Russell Cemetery.
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