Charles Rufus (Harold) Sloan
HAROLD SLOAN, NEAR WAVERLY, TAKES OWN LIFE BY SHOOTING (Tuesday, October 18, 1938)
_______adency Blamed for Act at Richard McConnell Farm Monday. Denied cartridges for a gun at his own home, Harold Sloan formerly of Kentucky, obtained shells elsewhere and shot himself fatally about 5:30 a.m. Monday at the farm of Richard McConnell, between Waverly and Franklin. Sloan's body was found at the rear of the house, slumped over near a .22 caliber rifle, a bullet from which had coursed through his brain. The bullet entered his head between the eyes. He was alive when found by Mr. McConnell, but died at the farm about three hours later.
Sloan had attempted to obtain shells for the rifle at his home in Franklin over the weekend, but his wife refused to give them to him, she told a coroner's jury Monday morning. Where he obtained the shells for the rifle, which had been left in the McConnell home, was unknown.
Sloan left home about daylight for the McConnell farm, where he was employed. Mrs. T. M. Stapleton, who lived about an eighth of a mile away, said she heard what she thought was a rifle shot about 5:30 a.m., but did not investigate. Sloan was found about 7:30 a.m. when McConnell came to the farm, and he immediately called Dr. Walter Allyn, of Waverly, and Dr. T. J. Kern of Franklin. Both physicians were present when Sloan died.
No one lives at the McConnell farm, but Sloan had fitted up a room which he used during the week. He cooked his own meals there, but usually spent his week-ends with his family in town. The Sloan family came to Illinois about two years ago from Kentucky. He is survived by his wife, Bessie, and the following children: Maude of Chicago, Mrs. Nellie Stanberry of St. Louis; Catherine, Ralph, Mabel and Thomas at home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Neese Funeral Home in Franklin.
Sheriff Kenneth Woods and Deputy Sheriff Charles Wegehoft were notified and investigated the shooting. Coroner E. O. Sample was called following the man's death and empaneled a jury which returned a verdict of death due to a gunshot wound. Members of the jury were T. M. Stapleton, foreman, Sam Hawkins, T. R. Manning, Harry Whitlock, E. M. Narr, and Frank L. Burnett.
