In Memory
James E. Ludwick
- BIRTH
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Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA
- DEATH
- 21 Jun 1916 (aged 38)
McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska, USA
- BURIAL
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McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska,
Obituary from Friday 23 June 1916 McCook Republican
A Prominent Man Suicides. Illness Bringing on Melancholia the Seeming Cause of the Deed. Makes End Doubly Sure by Taking a Large Dose of Cyanide of Potassium and Shooting Himself Through Head with Small Rifle Causing Death Almost Immediately. Wednesday night about 11:30, J.E Ludwick, furniture dealer while evidently suffering from a sudden aberation, committed suicide in his store by taking what is thought to the be cyanide of potassium, and immediately shooting himself through the head with a 22 caliber rifle, the bullet entering the right side, a little above, and in front of the ear and passing clear through, and out of the opposite side. He died almost immediately. To everyone but three or four of his most intimate friends, and his brothers and sister, it was most unlocked for event that could possible happen for they knew his health had been failing for the past six months and Dr. Kay, his physician, had warned them lately to watch him closely and carefully as he became very despondent at times and his condition might suddenly become critical. The Doctor urged Mr. Ludwick to go with him to Omaha and consult a specialist and two or three times a date had been set, but each time the patient made some excuse and delayed going. For the past six years he and Louis Thorgrimson have been room mates and very intimate friends, both in a business and social way, and Mr. Thorgrimson was one of the few who knew his condition. Dr. Kay having told him and cautioned him to watch for any change. For some time Mr. Ludwick has been going to his room and to bed earlier than his room mate, and when he was not there Wednesday night Mr. Thorgrimson noticed it but began getting ready to retire thinking his companion would be in soon, remembered he had not seen him during the evening at the places he usually went, and then thought of the doctors warning. He immediately dressed and went out to look for him. Going to the store he found it dark, could not find him at any of the restaurants or ice cream parlors, he had not been to the club room nor the K. of P. lodge meeting. He did not wish to needlessly alarm the brothers and sister, so went to Dr. Kay's home and explained the situation and the Doctor phoned to his sister, Mrs. J.W. Ridenour, where he goes frequently in the evenings but he had not been there. Mrs. Ridenour and her brother Louis Ludwick, came down to the doctor's home, she stayed there while her brother and Mr. Thorgrimson went out to look for Earl. (missing paragraph due to poor copy). J.E. Ludwick was the son of Mr. And Mrs. J.H. Ludwick, was born in Dallas, Texas, June 11, 1878. They moved here five years later, where he has lived continuously ever since. He graduated from the McCook high school with the class of 1897. He associated himself with his father in the second hand store, and gradually converted the stock into new goods, eventually making it when his father died into a first class furniture store, and has been successful in business. He has been identified with nearly everything that has been for the advancement and betterment of McCook. And for several years has been secretary of the Commercial Club, he was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Masons and other orders, and all that can be learned from these who were intimately acquainted with him and his affairs the only reason they can give is he must have become suddenly insane brought end by his ill health. The brother and sister have the deep and heartfelt sympathy in their sorrow. As we go to press no arrangement have been made for funeral services.
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