Found Dead in Well

The Post-Telegraph Wed, Mar 16, 1921 ·Page 1

Seth Stanley Found With Hands Shackled And Weight Tied To Neck-Thought To Be Suicide

Bethany, Mo., March 10- With his hands tied tightly together with wire and a sack of cement tied to his neck, the body of Seth Stanley, widely known business man and farmer of Bethany, was found at 7 o'clock this morning in a well in the rear of his place of business.

A coroner's jury this afternoon returned a verdict that Stanley had committed suicide, but the general opinion in Bethany and vicinity is that Stanley met with foul play.

Stanley was about 55 years old, married and had four daughters, two of who are married, the other two living at the family home in Bethany. He was proprieter of the Bethany Marble and Granite Works, in addition to managing about 400 acres of farm land in this vicinity.

Stanley was to have met a traveling salesman for a granite firm at the depot here last night. He parked his motor car in the rear of his shop and proceeded to the depot on foot. The salesman missed his train at Maryville, Mo., so Stanley returned to his shop. He did not return home and persons in the neighborhood noticed that the motor car remained in the rear of the shop all night. This morning search was instituted for Stanley and he was found by employees at the bottom of the well. His coat and hat were on the ground near the edge of the well.

There were no marks upon the body except scratches on the face, which probably were made by the fall into the pit. Bethany citizens are greatly aroused by the tragedy.

Bethany, Mo., March 12- A careful investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Seth Stanley, whose body was found in a well here Thursday morning, failed to uncover any substantial indication that his death was due to other means than by his own hands.

It is true that member's of Stanley's family and friends are of the opinion that suicide was not the cause of death but, up to this time, nothing of a definite nature has been developed that would substantiate their claims, except the unusual circumstances surrounding Stanley's death. The body was taken from a cistern in Stanley's marble works early Thursday morning. Around the dead man's neck was a rope to which was tied with a slip knot, a sack of sand. Around his left wrist was twisted one end of a piece of wire and at the other end was a loop thru which the right hand apparently had been drawn when the body was being taken from the cistern. If both wrists were tied with the wire when Stanley's body was in the cistern, his hands would have been bound about a foot apart.

Some who have examined the wire and loops at its ends are of the opinon that the one which covered the right wrist was sufficiently large to permit the right hand to have been thrust through it after the loop was made.

There were a few abrasions on the face and head and these at first, were thought to have been the result of a blow or blows inflicted by some other person. However, physicians, who have examined the body, are certain that bruises were sustained when the head and face came in contact with the wall of the cistern.

The noose about the neck had been drawn tight and an autopsy on the body developed the fact that there was little water in the lungs.

Had death occurred before the body entered the water, doctors say, there would have been no water in the lungs. But the rope tied tightly around the neck considerable water in the lungs would have indicated drowning.

Rufus Beeks, deputy sheriff, instituted a search for Stanley after the latter's family became alarmed when he did not return home Wednesday night. Beeks says there was no evidence of a struggle in the marble works and that the dirt floor showed no indication of the presence of more than one person. A nightwatchman stated that after he found the marble works door unlocked abput 10:15 o'clock Wednesday night, and that after he entered the building someone called to him and he recognized the voice of Stanley. Stanley said, according to the nightwatchman, that everything was all right, and the other man left immediately.

Beeks says that he searched Stanley's pockets and found the dead man's watch which had stopped running at 9:45 o'clock, apparently an hour before the nightwatchman talked to Stanley. Stanley's pocketbook containing money and a number of personal letters also were found on the body.

Financial difficulty might have been a suicide motive, although it was not known that Stanley was in a condition that would have caused unusual embarrassment. He was considered wealthy, although it was said within a week of his death he discovered that, through poor collections, he did not have sufficient funds with which to promptly meet his bills.

Tragedy at Bethany

Albany Ledger Thu, Mar 10, 1921 ·Page 1

Body of Seth H. Stanley, Well Known Citizen, Found This Morning In Well With Hands Tied and Body Weighted.

Bethany was thrown into a state of excitement this morning when the body of Seth H. Stanley was found in a well at the rear lot of his place of business, a sack of cement tied about his neck and his hands tied together with a wire.

Mr. Stanley was in the marble and granite business there with his shop located in the block north of the public square. According to the report we got this afternoon, he left his shop about six o'clock yesterday afternoon and was not seen again until his body was found in the well. Whether it was a case of suicide or of murder, is to be determined.

Mr. Stanley was a well known citizen of Harrison County. He was formerly sheriff, and had a number of interests. Until the first of the year he was a partner of S.W. Allen in Albany Marble and Granite Works.

Body of Bethany Man Found in Well, Hands Tied, Weight to Neck

The Princeton Post Wed, Mar 16, 1921 ·Page 5

(Continued from page 1)

From St. Joseph News-Press

Uphold Suicide Theory

Bethany, Mo., March 12-A careful investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Seth Stanley, whose body was found in a well here Thursday morning, failed to uncover any substantial indication that his death was due to other means than by his own hands.

It is true that members of Stanley's family and friends are of the opinion that suicide was not the cause death, but up to this time nothing of a definite nature has been developed that would substantiate their claims, except the unusual circumstances surrounding Stanley's death. The body was taken from a cistern in Stanley's marble works early Thursday morning. Around the dead man's neck was a rope which was tied with a slip knot, a sack of sand. Around his left wrist was twisted one end of a piece of wire and at the other end was a loop through which the right hand apparently had been drawn when the body was being taken from the cistern. If both wrists were tied with wire when Stanley's body was in the cistern, his hand would have been about a foot apart.

Some who have examined the wire and loops are of the opinion that the one which covered the right wrist was sufficiently large to permit the right handto have been thrust through it after the loop was made.

Abrasions on Face

There were a few abrasions on the face and head and these at first, were thought to have been the result of a blow or blows inflicted by some other person. However, physicians who have examined the body are certain that the bruises were sustained when the head and face came in contact with the wall of the cistern.

The noose about the neck had been drawn tight and an autopsy on the developed the fact that there was little water in the lungs.

Had death occurred before the body entered the water, the doctors say, there would have been no water in the lungs. But the rope tied tightly around the neck, considerable water in the lungs, would have indicated drowning.

No Evidence of Struggle

Rufus Beeks, a deputy sheriff, instituted a search for Stanley after the latter's family became alarmed when he did not return home Wednesday night. Beeks says there was no evidence of a struggle in the marble works and that the dirt floor showed no indication of the presence of more than one person. A nightwatchman stated that after he found the marble works door unlocked about 10:15 o'clock, Wednesday night, and that after he entered the building, someone called to him and he recognized the voice of Stanley. Stanley said, according to the nightwatchman, that everything was all right, and the other man left immediately.

Beeks says that he searched Stanley's pockets and found the dead man's watch had stopped running at 9:45 o'clock, apparently an hour before the nightwatchman talked to Stanley. Stanley's pocketbook contained money and a number of personal letters also were found on the body.

Financial difficulty might have been a suicide motive, although it was not known that Stanley was in a condition that would have caused unusual embarrassment. He was considered wealthy, although it was said that within a week of his death he discovered that, through poor collections he did not have sufficient funds with which to promptly meet his bills.

BETHANY MAN FOUND DROWNED IN HIS CISTERN

The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune Thu, Mar 17, 1921 ·Page 15

SETH STANLEY IS BELIEVED BY RELATIVES TO HAVE COMMITED SUICIDE

When Found a Sack of Sand Was Tied Around His Neck and His Hands Were Tied-No Indications of Robbery

Seth Stanley owner of The Bethany Marble Yard, was found Thursday morning drowned in the cistern under his shopwith his hands tied in front of himand a sack of sand tied around his neck. He was found by his wife when he failed to return home last night.

No indication of robbery or murder were found. There was no sign of a struggle and no marks on the body. Money was still in his pocket.

Stanley was about 50 years old and reported to be well-to-do. It is thought perhaps he suffered some financial lossand in a fit of despondency had tied the sand about his neck, tied his hands, and jumped into the cistern.

Stanley was a prominent Mason and ran for the Republican nomination for Sheriff of that county last year and was defeated. A wife and several children survive.

Stanley came home for supper and so far as was learned nothing was said that would indicate that he intended taking his life. He returned to the shop and when he failed to come home, the alarm was raised and the body was found at 7 o'clock Thursday morning.

SETH STANLEY FOUND DEAD

The Ridgeway Journal Thu, Mar 17, 1921 ·Page 4

Failed to Return Home Wednesday Nightand Found in Well Thursday Morning.

BELIEVED BY MANY A SUICIDE.

From Bethany Republican

Bethany was dumbfounded last Thursday morning when the word was passed around that the body of Seth D. Stanley had been found in the well in the marble yard building. He had cometo town last Wednesday night to have a talk with Jesse Little. He had the talk with Little in the Beeks Barber Shop, later went to the Siegenthaler drug store and got his paper, which was probably the last time he was seen alive. He went to his office at the marble yard, and the nightwatch finding the door unlocked about ten o'clock, Seth called to him from the back of the shop and told him he was there. So far as is known, this is the last time he spoke to anyone.

When he did not come home during the night, Mrs. Stanley became alarmed and arose at four o'clock, and looked all over the place for him. Then she enlisted the services of neighbors. B.P. Sigler came to town and found Stanley's car near the marble yard, and he and others found Mr. Stanley's coat , vest, and cap in the office, and later found the body in the well about 7:30 o'clock. Aubrey Cushman secured a grappling hook, and he, Karl Roleke, and others got the body out of the well.

Coroner Harding was called and made an examination, and then the body was taken to the Haas undertaking parlors. A coroner's jury consisting of Wm. Foster, Toad Planck, C.T. Webb, W.L. Webb, Bert Layson, and J.C. Ray was impanelled and an inquest held Thursday afternoon, which rendered the following verdict:

We, the undersigned jurors, impaneled and sworn on the 10th day of March, 1921, at the township of Bethany, in the county of Harrison, by E.F. Harding, coroner, to diligently inquire and true presentment make how and by whom Seth D. Stanley, whose body was found in a well in the Stanley Marble Shop on the 10th day of March, 1921, came to his death, having viewed the body and heard the evidence, do find that the deceased came to his death by methods and means unknown to this Jury.

The fact that there were two places on Stanley's head that showed where he had been struck with two severe blows, and also the fact that his hands hhad been wired together, as well as a bag of sand tied around his neck with the well rope, has led many people to believe that he met with foul play. Other indications were that it was suicide, and many have accepted this verdict. But to many his death will remain a mystery.

S.D. Stanley was the owner of 400 acres of good land in Fox Creek township, The Bethany Marble Works, and one of the nicest homes in Bethany. While he was involved to a certain extent, testimony before the coroner's jury showed that his liabilities were not pressing and that financial worries need not have been the cause of his death.

Mr. Stanley was very prominent in lodge circles, being probably the highest in Masonic circles of anyone in Harrison County. He also was a member of Miriam Lodge, I.O.O. F., and other Odd Fellow orders, a member of the K. P. Lodge, and of other various organizations.

Seth D. Stanley was born in Harrison county January 6, 1870, and died March 9, 1921, aged 51 years, 2 months, and 3 days. A short prayer service was held at the home Saturday morning, March 12th, and the body was taken to Sharon Chapel, about eleven miles east of Bethany, where services were held, conducted by Rev. W.O. Dotson and assisted by Dr. W.S. Welsh and Rev. Floyd Morgan, and the interment was in the cemetery nearby. Members of the I.O.O.F. and K.P. were pallbearers, and the cortege was under the escourt of Bethany Lodge No. 97 A.F. & A. M. and burial by Bethany Commandery No. 42, K.T.

He is survived by his widow and four daughters, Mrs. Harlan Maple, who lives near Blythedale; Mrs. Israel Chaney who lives near Bethany; and Misses Eva and Grace Stanley, who with their mother, resides in Bethany. Stanley has two sisters, Mrs. Ellen Griffin, who lives near Princeton, and Mrs. Hester Hudson who lives near Gilman City, and one brother, M.E. Stanley, resident of Wishita, Kas.

SETH STANLEY DEAD

Bethany Clipper, Bethany, Mo Wed March 16, 1921 page 1

MET A TRAGIC DEATH EITHER AT HIS OWN HANDS OR BY FOUL PLAY

Coroner's Jury Unable to Decide-Still a Mystery to All-Funeral Held Saturday.

Seth Stanley, a prominent citizen of this county, large land owner, and Bethany business man, was taken from a well in his own marble shop, dead, last Thursday morning, March 10, after his unusual absence from his home all night.

His family gave the alarm early on Thursday morning that he had come to town as usual the evening before and had not returned, or communicated with them all night. The searchers went to his marble yard and found his Ford car parked across the street and his office unlocked. Further investigation found his overcoat and cap on a chair, and the lid to the well covering open, and on examination found his body at the bottom of the well weighted down with a sack of sand tied with the well rope around his neck and when the body was raised out of about sixteen foot of water, it was seen that his hands were wired together, the right hand slipping out of the wire loop in the process of being taken from the well, but the wrists showed the marks of the wire having been securely fastened. This fact caused the rescuing party to suspect foul play and the county coroner was notified and took charge of the body.

A jury was impanelled and an autopsy held in their presence and after a number of witnesses were examined, rendered a verdict that he came to his death by means unknown to them.

Mr. Stanley was a character that his friends claim would not be one to commit suicide because of financial troubles. He as in good health and no known reason why he would destroy himself. And on the other hand no one is suspected of foul play or nothing has developed that there would be a motive for any one to commit a crime like his tragic death.

On Monday the well was drained but revealed nothing that would throw any light on the mystery.

He visited several places of business during the evening, chatting as usual, and was last seen alive about 9 o'clock. About an hour later James Taylor in making his usual rounds, tried the Stanley marble yard door and found it unlocked and going in, some one whom he recognized as Mr. Stanley's voice called to him from the rear of the shop, that he was there, and the night watch passed on his way.

This was 10 o'clock or after, the night watch says, the watch taken from Mr. Stanley's dead body having stopped at 9:45. The night watch might have been mistaken as to the time of his visit to the marble yard or the watch may have stopped before it went into the well.

Wild rumors of cold-blooded murder have been advanced by persons not familiar with all the details, and before the coroner's jury made their investigation, but so far nothing has developed that would conclusively show foul play. Most of his friends, which are numbered by the hundreds in Bethany, and in his former home in the east part of the county accept the suicide theory, but are ready to consider and investigate anything that might look like murder.

Seth D.Stanley was born in Harrison co., Mo., January 6, 1870, and suddenly came to the end of his earthly life March 9, 1921, aged 51 years, 2 months and 3 days.

He was the son of John E. and Rebecca Stanley, pioneers of Fox Creek township, and one of a family of eleven children. He spent his boyhood on the old homestead together with his parents until his 23d year, when on December 13, 1893, he was united in marriage to Nanny A. Higdon, a neighbor girl he had known from childhood. To this union were born four daughters, all of whom are living: Cora E., wife of Harley Maple, of Akron; Zula A., wife of Israel Chaney, of Melbourne; Eva R. and Grace of Bethany.

Besides his wife and children he leaves three grandchildren, one brother M.E. Stanley of Wichita, Kans., two sisters Mrs. Ellen Grifion (Griftin?) of Spickard, Mo., and Mrs. Hester Hudson of Gilman City, numerous other relatives and many friends.

He was well known throughout the county as an optimistic citizen, a friendly type of a man, four-square in all his relations with fellows.

He was a man of no great religious pretensions, but his every day life revealed a high type of Christian character.

His home life was ideal. A devoted lover of wife and children, impartial in his regard for relatives, congenial and affable to all his friends. He kept open house for all.

About twelve years ago together with his wife, he united with the Baptist Church at Mt. Pleasant No. 1, retaining his membership in that organization until his death.

Some time after his removal to Bethany he received the first degree of Free Masonry in Bethany Lodge No. 97 A.F. & A.M. and as soon there after as time would permit he became Worshipful Master of that lodge. At the time of his death he was High Priest of the

(continued on page 6)

SETH STANLEY DEAD

Bethany Clipper March 16 1921 page 6

(cont. from page 1)

chapter there, a Past Commander of the Knights Templar, a member of the Council and the Shrine at St. Joseph.

Together with his wife, he was prominent in the O.E.S.

He had been a member of the I.O.O.F. and Rebekahs for more than twenty years and a member of the Knights of Pythia for many years.

Mr. Stanley was not only active in church and fraternal circles but in political and business life as well.

It is hard for these to contemplate his mysterious departure, but they suffer not as those who have no hope.

His body will crumble into dust, but his soul and ours will live forever.

The Funeral

Seth D. Stanley, who so mysteriously came to a sudden death in his marble shop March 10, 1921, was laid at rest in the Sharon cemetery three miles south of Mt. Moriah Saturday, March 12, 1921.

In writing this funeral account, it is not our intention to enter into an obituary, but just to give a brief analysis of the funeral proper. There was Scripture reading and and prayer at the house at 9:30 a.m. by the Reverend W.O. Dotson and then the funeral cortege immediately started on it's way to the place where the deceased had previously arranged that he should be buried beside the sacred dust of his parents.

The body was escourted by Bethany commandery No. 42, uniform rank of Bethany Lodge No. 97, A.F. & A.M. and the pall bearers were selected from the I.O.O.F. and K.P. lodges.

The services at the Sharon church were conducted in the following manner: Scripture reading and prayer by Dr. W.S. Welsh, of the First Methodist Church, Bethany, and a synopsis of the life and character of the deceasedwas read by Rev. Floyd Morgan of the First Methodist Church of Rockport, Mo. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. W.O. Dotson of the First Baptist Church, Bethany. The song service was rendered by Mesdames Spencer and Prentiss and Messrs. Prentiss and Haas.

At the conclusion of the serveices in the church the massive casket was opened and the vast crowd filed past to take a last look at the features of their old friend and former neighbor. Many in the long line of march paused at the bier and heaved a sigh and often a tear drop was noticed glistening on the palid cheek of some old friend of him lay so silently and cold in the beautiful casket, which was practically entombed in a labyrinth of choice flowers.

After the bereaved companion and daughters, with hearts almost bursting with grief, were pursuaded to turn away, the casket was closed and the pall bearers slowly carried the mortal remains of their old friend to the grave, passing between two lines of the uniformed commandery, who reverently stood with drawn swords.

At the grave the commandery took charge, and the beautiful and impressive Masonic funeral rites were read, amid the most profound and reverend silence. The massive casket, encased in in a steel vault, was lowered into the tomb and the Rev. W.O. Dotson tenderly dismissed the solemn audience who came from far and near to pay their last token of respect to that splendid citizen and four-square man, Seth D. Stanley.

The attendence at the church was so great that only a portion of the people could gain entrance into the building, there being fully as many on the outside as there were in the house. The floral gifts were the most elaborate we have seen in many years.

Seth D. Stanley

An Appreciation

Brother Seth D. Stanley was a true Mason, a faithful Companion of the Royal Arch, a valiant and magnanimous Templar, a good Master, an efficient High Priest, a courteous Commander, a real follower of our Blessed Savior, kindly dispositioned, fearless in defense of the right, honest, and honorable, industrious and untiring, cheerful and charitable, fraternal and forgiving.

He was full of brotherly love, relief and truth; of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.

We feel keenly his taking away, and offer to his family our kindest sympathy and assistance.

By order of

BETHANY LODGE NO. 97 A.F.& A.M.

BETHANY CHAPTER NO. 80 R.A.M.

BETHANY COMMANDERY NO. 42 K.T.

C.T. BRIDGES

E.W. PRENTISS

JOHN H. ROSS

cOMMITTEE

RESOLUTIONS

The Bethany Baptist Sunday School passed the following resolutions relative to the death of Seth. D. Stanley:

Truly a good man has fallen on earth to rise in Glory. To human eyes his death seems untimely, but God knows the hour. Thus once more we are reminded how there is the veil between this world and the next. Bro. Stanley had greatly endeared to our church and Sunday school. Therefore, be it

Resolved, First. That we greatly deplore the loss of Bro. Stanley.

Second. That we tender to Sister Stanley our deepest sympathy in this sad hour, praying that God will sustain her in this great loss, and to the children with whom his council and tender, loving words will ever be a guiding star pointing to a better life.

Third. That a copy of these resolutions be spread on the minutes of our Sunday School record, a copy sent to the family and county papers.

W.O. DOTSON

J.N. HOMAN

MRS. LUNA HOMAN

MRS. CLARA WAGONER

Bethany, Mo., March 13, 1921

Card of Thanks

We desire to thank our friends and neighbors for their help and sympathy in our bereavement. You have done everything that could possibly be done to help us.

MRS. S.D. STANLEY AND FAMILY