Joseph L (Close up) DICKSON

October 12, 1861 - February 9, 1895
Safe in the arms of Jesus
My husband is at rest.

*Obituary
Benton County Democrat
Thursday, February 14, 1895

DICKSON, J.L. - (from The Fayetteville Sentinel) Mr. J.L. Dickson, late cashier of the Mcllroy Banking Co., took poison Saturday night about 9 o'clock and was dead in fifteen minutes. The bank made known to Dickson Saturday evening that he had misappropriated a large amount of the bank's funds, something over $21,000 and the bonds-men had met at Dickson's house to talk over the matter. The interview resulted very unsatisfactorily and as Dickson evidently suspected from parties leaving the premises that he would be arrested, he made an excuse to go to the water pitcher, when he took a paper from his pocket, emptied the contents into a glass, filled it with water and drank it off. Several of the gentlemen saw this but supposed he was taking a nervine. He returned to the room and complained of neuralgia; then he removed his hat, coat and shoes and laid down on a lounge. It was not long before those present realized that something was wrong and a doctor sent for. Before his arrival Dickson was dead. The poison used is unknown. Dickson's bond is a good one and the bank will not lose a cent so far as now known. The early hour at which we go to press necessitates brevity but this covers the awful tragedy in a few words.

*Obituary
The Springdale News
Friday, February 15, 1895

DICKSON, J.L. - (from The Fayetteville Daily News) Our beautiful city was shocked and startled almost unto a state of inaction last Saturday night about the hour of half past 9 o'clock when the terrible news that J.L. Dickson had committed suicide by poisoning himself went speeding along the city's thoroughfares. The report was of such a preposterous nature that everyone at once thought it was false and simply an idle exaggeration of facts but later developments proved a confirmation that it was only too true and heart rending in the extreme. Could it be possible that Joe Dickson, who was born and raised in Fayetteville and whom everybody held in the highest regard and esteem, had been so rash as to commit such a horrible deed as suicide. Mr. Dickson has been in several different business departures in this city and held many positions of trust and honor, having been cashier of the Mcllroy Banking Co. until a few weeks ago and was also City Recorder at the time of his death. During his banking career as cashier of the Mcllroy Banking Co. it appears that he fell behind in his accounts to the extent of several thousand dollars and on Saturday evening his bondsmen visited his home for the purpose of coming to some understanding in regard to the matter of shortage. They informed Mr. Dickson of their mission and of the defalcation he was accused of. He denied the accusation and said that by a thorough investigation the books would be found straight. Nevertheless they asked him to accompany them to the bank and go over the books. This he said he could not do because his wife and child were almost sick and that he himself was not feeling the best but would be glad to accommodate them Monday. They replied that they would rather have the matter attended to at once, whereon Mr. Dickson again stated he would not accompany them to the bank but if they thought there was any danger of his leaving the city they might guard his premises. The committee of bondsmen answered by saying they would remain in his house. He replied very well. About 9 o'clock he complained of feeling bad and shortly stepped out into another room, it was suspected, to get a drink. While absent from the room a servant noticed him take a small package from his pocket and pour the contents, which is supposed to have been prussic acid, in a glass partly filled with water, and drink the mixture. He rinsed the goblet out with more water, swallowed it and re-entered the room where they were all sitting. He walked up to the fire-place and stood there probably two or three minutes when he remarked that he felt so miserable he believed he would go and lay down awhile. After several minutes had elapsed from the time he laid down he was asked if he felt any better. He replied that he believed he did as his head felt much better. The conversation ended here and the supposition was that he had gone to sleep when the gentlemen present were suddenly aroused by a peculiar whistling sound issuing from the room where Mr. Dickson retired and some one exclaimed that they believed he was dying. They all quickly hurried to the sleeping apartment and what was their consternation to find that Mr. Dickson had passed beyond the help of human aid and that death had already clasped his form in its cold embrace. The sad and tragical ending of this young, ambitious life will ever maintain a lasting hold on the memory of our people and the deepest sympathy is felt toward his young wife and little child left to bewail the fate of a kind husband and father. A short service will be held at the residence at 10 o'clock a.m. after which the remains will be taken to the cemetery where they will be laid at rest in accordance with the rites and ceremonies of the Knights of Pythias, an order of which deceased was a most worthy and honored member.

*Photograph provided by Dr. Greg Vogel
http://www.projectpast.org/gvogel/Evergreen/Evergreen.html

Contributed on 11/13/10 by nlhall
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Record #: 409094

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