Blair Has Suicidal Case

Blair inhabitants were shocked last Sunday to hear of the death by suicide of Frederick James Warren. His death was caused by the drinking of carbolic acid, which he had purchased at a local drug store.

Deceased was a young man, born January 25, 1900, in Tarkio, Missouri. He had served in the army for six years and had been in several battles overseas.

The past two years he had worked with a construction company in Omaha but had given up his position about two weeks ago and had come to visit his parents who reside on one of the five acre tracts just south of the city.

The family were grief stricken as the result of the death and were entirely at a loss to know of the motive for the deed.

He was going west on South street just a few minutes before his death and drew the attention of people by his actions and when he had reached about half way up the South street hill he became unconscious and before aid could reach him he had passed away.

His body was taken to the Haggard and Bendorf Undertaking parlors where it was cared for.

He leaves besides his parents, six brothers and sisters to mourn his sad death.

Funeral services under the auspices of the American Legion were held at the Christian Church on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 P.M. and interment made in the Blair Cemetery.

#2 Thursday, 6 Nov., 1924 - The Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

EX SERVICEMAN TAKES OWN LIFE LAST SUNDAY

A supposed stranger who was later identified as Frederick James Warren, age 24, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Warren who live on the southwest edge of Blair, took his own life last Sunday noon on the hill at the west end of South street.

Residents of that neighborhood had seen a stranger wandering around up there, and when Chris Frahm was passing over the road in his auto Warren fell off the embankment, lighting directly in front of Frahm’s car. Frahm, thinking the man to be badly injured, rushed to a nearby telephone to notify the authorities. In the meantime Rinholt Bloomquist’s children had seen Warren and told their father of his queer actions. Mr. Bloomquist hurried to the spot, but Warren was so nearly gone that he could only mumble. He died a few minutes later.

As those who gathered attempted to lay the dead man in a more comfortable position, a two-ounce bottle bearing a carbolic acid label fell from one of the stranger’s pockets. The condition of the label showed that the liquid had been recently purchased and it then dawned on those present that the young fellow, whoever he might be, had taken his own life. Only a few drops of the acid remained in the bottle, the unfortunate fellow having replaced the cork and put the bottle back in his pocket before going into convulsions.

It was not until after the remains had been taken to the undertaking parlors that a complete search of the pockets was made. Nothing was found by which the stranger could be identified.

An hour or more later Warren, senior, and a son came to town. Stepping into one of the drug stores they heard the tragedy being discussed, and on inquiring for a description immediately announced that the dead man was undoubtedly their son and brother. Investigation proved this to be the case.

From what can be gathered young Warren had at times threatened to take his life and end it all, and only that morning had told his mother he was going to do away with himself. He left home shortly afterward and not returning for dinner his father and a brother came into town to search for him.

Warren had been around Blair only a few days, which accounts for no one being able to identify him when first found on the hill. The family moved here from Mo. Valley last March. Warren had for the past two years been employed by a cement construction company in Council Bluffs, and his family have been at a loss to assign any plausible reason for his rash act. Warren had served four years in the army and the funeral which was held Tuesday afternoon from the Christian church, was in charge of the local Legion post.

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library ~~~

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