Thomas and Rachelle Uthe have a baby!

We welcomed our precious son, Levi John Uthe into the world on 05/21/2026. 6 lbs 13 oz 19 inch angel sent from God. We are overwhelmed with love and are so very blessed.

Money ! At 6 Percent

June 22 1911 page 2 Bethany Democrat

Both home and eastern, to loan on farms. First and second mortage. QUICK SERVICE--BEST TERMS. If renewing an old loan or making a new one, see us before contracting elsewhere. J.F. BRYANT & SON Office upstairs over the Post Office.

Among those going from here to Kansas City Wednesday to attend the Christian Church convention were ...Mrs. J.F. Bryant.....Miss Marie Bryant...Mrs. S.M. Haas....

Bethany Clipper Wed, Nov 03, 1926 ·Page 2

William P. Bryant went to St. Joseph Thursday,

Bethany Republican-Clipper Wed, Mar 16, 1921 ·Page 4

where he met his wife and son, who were returning from a visit with her mother, Mrs. Joseph Linville, at Clearmont, Mo.

Notice of Filing of Commissioners' Report For The Brimson Drainage District Of Grundy and Harrison County, Missouri

Bethany Clipper

Wed, Feb 07, 1923 ·Page 11

State of Missouri, Grundy County, ss.

In the Circuit court of Grundy county, Missouri

Notice is hereby given to.....Seth D. Stanley...

The east half of the northeast quarter of section twenty-five (25), township sixty-three (63), range twenty-sic (26)

commissioners heretofor appointed to assess benefits and damages to the property and lands located in and situate in said Drainage District and to appraise the cash value of the lands necessary to be taken for rights of ways, holding basins and other works of the said District within or without the limits of said District, filed their report in this office on the 17th day of January, 1923, and you and each of you are hereby notified that you may examine said REPORT and file exceptions to all or any part thereof, as provided by law.

Witness my hand and the Seal of said court this 17th day of January, 1923

(SEAL)

TENIA MYERS,

Clerk Circuit Court.

(Jan. 24, 1923 v. 18, No. 20-22)

Seth D. Stanley was murdered Thursday right in Bethany Mo.,

Grant City Star Wed, Mar 16, 1921 ·Page 1

his body was found in an old well with a sack cement tied to it and his body and feet were wrapped securely in baling wire holding his hands against sides. This information was secured from the insurance representative who had a $10,000 policy on Mr. Stanley, and he was unable to see any signs of suicide.

SELL BETHANY MARBLE & GRANITE WORKS

Bethany Republican-Clipper Wed, Sep 28, 1921 ·Page 1

The Bethany Marble & Granite works, belonging to the Seth D. Stanley estate, were sold last Wednesday to Orley Bartlett, and the stock is now being invoiced. C.C. Hiatte, administrator of the estate, has been running the business since last March 15th, when he was appointed. The sale includes stock, real estate, and good will of the business here. A yard was formerly owned by Mr. Stanley at Cainsville, but was moved here by Mr. Hiatt following Mr. Stanley's death.

Orley has been employed at the Bethany postoffice since July 1, 1919, as auxiliary clerk, and for several months before that time was a city carrier. He has also worked at surveying and operated a farm near town for a number of years. He is known as a man of much business ability, and the marble works should prosper with him at its head. A number of out of town persons have been at Bethany since spring to see if the works could be purchased, but Mr. Hiatt has felt that the interests of the town and county would be better served if it were sold into the hands of local people. It would be hard to find a man better fitted for the business than Orley is, and we wish him all success.

Final Settlement

Bethany Republican-Clipper Wed, May 03, 1922 ·Page 7

All creditors and others interested in the estate of Seth D. Stanley, deceased, are hereby notified that the undersigned administrators of said estate intend to make final settlement of their accounts as such administrators on the first day of the next regular term of the Probate Court of Harrison county, Missouri, to be held at Bethany, in said county, beginning on the 4th Monday in May, 1922, or as soon thereafter as same can be heard by the court.

NANNIE A. STANLEY,

C.C. HIATT,

Administrators.

Allens Now Own It.

The Albany Capital Thu, Jan 06, 1921 ·Page 1

S.W. Allen and sons Clayton and Clinton last week bought out the interest of Seth Stanley in the Albany Marble Works. The Messrs. Allen have been in charge of the business here for a couple of years, and had also bought out the yard at King City last year, Clinton Allen having been in charge of the good business there since early in 1920.

The Albany Marble Works was established here back about 1885, and the business was conducted by A.W. Hutchinson and G.W. Reed for many years, Mr. Hutchinson being in the active management. After his health failed, the building and business wsa sold to Kenyon & Stanley of Bethany, and later Mr. Allen and his sons bought into the business. They have had a nice run of business the past year, and will continue to reach out for all the monument trade in this section for the future. Mr. Stanley continues to hold his interest in the Marble Works at Bethany.

Coroner's Inquest

Bethany Republican-Clipper Bethany Mo. March 16 1921 page 2

The following is a part of the testimony before the coroner's jury. The coroner's verdict does not place the cause of death, so you can read and form your own opinion.

State of Missouri

County of Harrison, ss.

At an inquest held before the undersigned, Coroner of said county on the 10th day of March, 1921, at HaasfFurniture store in Bethany, in said county, over the dead body of Seth D. Stanley, who was supposed to have come to his death by method and means unknown, the following testimony of witnesses was taken before said coroner and the jury, and was then and there reduced to writing and subscribed by the witnesses:

CHARLES A. MILLER, Prosecuting Attorney

E.F. HARDING, Coroner.

Jury:

J.A. Gray, C.T. Webb, Bert L. Layson, W.M. Foster, W.L. Webb, and A.F. Planck.

W.W. Meyers, of lawful age, being duly sworn, stated :

Q. Mr. Meyers, you were well acquainted with Mr. Stanley?

A. yes sir.

Q. Have you had any business with Mr. Stanley?

A. I have had business dealings with him for the past twelve years in the Bethany Savings Bank.

Q. You are well acquainted with the family?

A. Yes sir.

Q. Do you know anything about his financial condition? Whether or not he was heavily involved and was worrying about it?

A. Mr. Stanley had quite a few debts, but none that was bothering him in any way. Nobody was pushing him.

Q. Did you ever have any conversation relative to his indebtedness?

A.. Yes sir

Q. From those conversations did you form the opinion that he was worried?

A. I did not think so.

Q. were you with him last week?

A. Yes, on last Monday the 7th day of this month, I had occasion to go toa sale at Akron, I called on Mr. Stanley on Sunday evening and asked him if he would like to go up with me, as his farm adjoined this one. He said he thought he would like to go up there with me. At that time I intended to take my car. But on Monday morning I came over to town, brought my car and Mr. Stanley had his Ford. It had rained rather heavily on Saturday and some on Sunday, and the roads were muddy, and he suggested that he take his Ford and go in it. I would possibly that it would be best so we left about, I should judge about ten o'clock when we left Bethany, and we drove from here to Ridgeway, and before we got there Stanley said he had some matters in Ridgeway he would like to stop and see about either now or when we came back. I said we had better stop and attend to it going up, as we might be late coming back. We were there possibly thirty minutes, and he told me that he got the matter all arranged. He was getting a note secured and was feeling pretty good about that. We started on, went to Blythedale and over to his son-in-law's. Got there about and we stopped and had dinner with his daughter. Then went to the sale. And during our trip both going and coming, we talked about financial conditions considerable, and he told me that his condition, so far as land trades concerned, how he got it arranged, and he said now the matters at the bank, the boys are all mighty nice to him, nobody crowding him in any way, he seemed to be in good spirits. I remember as we were coming in Blythedale he said that of course if the boys in on me it would make it pretty hard, but there is nobody crowding me. This is what all the banks are do, not crowding anybody. So far as his talk to me, and I was with him all that day, he did not seem to be worried or a thing along that line that he was worrying about.

Q. Mr. Meyers, do you know of any enemies that he had?

A. I did not.

Q. Any trouble that he has had within the last two or three years?

A. None that I know of except at the time his automobile was stolen, at that time he seemed to have some worries about that.

Q. There was no collecting that amounted to very much that had come in the last few days?

A. none that I know of, he might of had.

H.C. Darr of lawful age, being duly sworn, stated that:

Examination by Chas. A. Miller

Q. Your name is H.C. Darr?

A. Yes sir.

Q. You live in Bethany, Mr. Darr?

A. Yes sir.

Q. You were acquainted with Mr. Stanley?

A. Yes sir.

Q. How long has you known him?

A. About 16 years.

Q. Where do you live with reference to his shop?

A. Just across the alley.

Q. Were you at home between the hours of seven and eleven o'clock last night?

A. Yes I was.

Q. Did you see anyone about the shop of Mr. Stanley between eight and ten?

A. No, I didn't notice anyone, people along there all night and I don't notice them, see them.

Q. Did you hear any noises?

A. No sir.

Q. Now Mr. Darr tell the jury anything else you might know touching this matter, or anything you might have learned this morning.

A> This morning about seven o'clock, I just don't remember exactly what time, I saw two or three men on the sidewalk and asked them what the trouble was - I just don't remember who they were. They told me Mr. Stanley was missing. I jumped out of the window. They said he had been missing all night. His car was across there. Someone found the well up. His coat was lying there, and hat and one rubber shoe.

Q. Where were they in reference to the well?

A> About three or four feet, that is my recollection. I did not see them when we first went in.

Q. What else did you see?

A. I thing Mr. Cushman got a stick and could not do do anything with that, then he went and got a pump rod and felt in the well and found something. He could not pull it up. It was bent at the end, but not so he could catch hold. Then Rolcke brought a rope, tied a grab hook to it, they got the body up with that and then made a loop and throwed over one foot and pulled it out of the well.

Q. Now tell the jury how the body was pulled up with reference to the face.

A. They drew him out of the well on his back.

Q. Did you notice the curbing in particular before the body was brought out?

A. No sir.

Q. Never saw blood or anything?

A. No sir.

Q. Did you notice the condition of the body, what was on it?

A. When they first got it out they laid it on a board and I think a cement sack about half full of sannd was around his neck.

Q. What was the position of the hands when he was brought out?

A. Both hanging down.

Q. Were they wired?

A. Wire on left hand, or right, I don'tjust remember which, but on one end, and loop in the other end of the wire.

Q. Was there any blood on the face?

A. I think some across the eyes.

Q. Anything else?

A. Mr. Sigler suggested that I go with him to tell his wife about it, and we left.

Q. That is all you know?

A. Yes that is all I know.

Q. You stated that you were well acquainted with Mr. Stanley?

A. I think so, yes sir.

Q. You know anything about his business affairs?

A. I have heard him talk about his business, his farms and trades.

Q. Do you know how his financial condition was?

A. No.

Q. Do you know of any domestic trouble?

A. No sir, I have been to his house often, have ate dinners there and there never was any trouble in his family.

Q. Do you know of any trouble he had with anyone else?

A. No sir.

Q. Were you and Mr. Stanley such friends as to be confidential?

A. I think yes, as much as anybody else around.

Q. Did he tell you anything in connection with his trades and farms, anything in confidence within the last six months?

A. No Sir.

Q. Did you notice any evidence of violence?

A. No I did not, but of course there had been a good many in before I went in.

Examination by Chas. A. Miller

Rufus Beckfsi of lawful age being duly sworn, stated:

Q. Mr Beeks, you live in Bethany?

A. Yes sir.

Q. Are you acquainted with Mr. Stanley?

A. Yes sir.

Q. Did you see Mr. Stanley yesterday at any time?

A. Yes, yesterday evening about seven o'clock.

Q. Where was that?

A. He came down in my barber shop to see a man.

Q. Who?

A. Mr. Jesse Little

Q. Who else was there?

A. I do not remember just who else, I think the barber, Mr. Smith.

Q. Did you have any conversation with Mr. Stanley?

A. No sir, nothing more than just to speak to him as he came in.

Q. Did you hear him talking to anyone else?

A. No. He talked to Mr. Little a short time.

Q. How long?

A. I should judge about fifteen minutes.

Q. What time did he leave your barber shop?

A. I should judge between 7:30 and 8:00.

Q. Did he seem to act as he usually did?

A. Yes. I noticed nothing unusual.

Q. Had her conferred with Mr. Little in your presence in the last three or four days?

A. I called him the evening before and he came down to the shop and Mr. Little was there and I did not know but what Mr. Little being relation, he might want to talk to him with regards to his business affairs.

Q. That was night before last?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. Did he seem to act as usual?

A. Nothing unusual about his actions.

Q. Did you hear any of their conversation?

A. Only when he went out he spoke good night to Mr. Little.

A. Now, Mr. Beeks, when did you first learn of the fact that Mr. Stanley was missing?

A. A little after six this morning Mrs. Stanley called the jail. I answered the phone and she asked me if I knew anything about Mr. Stanley, he had told her he was coming over to the barber shop to see Little. I told her he had come and stayed a little while and left by himself. She asked me if he said anything about going anywhere. I asked Little, and he said he had told him he had a little knocking around to do when he left.

Q. What investigation, if any, did you make?

A. I told her and I would go and see and I asked her if he had the car and she said yes. I went up to his place an d of business and his car was sitting on north side of the street.

Q. Facing which way?

A. The east. And I went to the door and the door was unlocked, and I walked in.

Q. No key in the door?

A. No sir.

Q. Did you see any evidence of anyone being in?

A. No. I went in the back work room.

Q. Was that door opened?

A. No, I think it was closed.

Q. State what you found there, if anything?

A. The overcoat. I recognized that as soon as saw it as the one that he had on that evening.

Q. Where was it?

A. Laying over in the southeast corner of the shop on some monuments, or a table or something.

Q. Was his cap laying up on top of his coats

A. No, it was laying over here.

Q. Was it near the well?

A> I did not recognize that the place was a well.

Q. Did you notice any other article of clothing?

A. One rubber laying where his cap was, and I went back and I believe the next fellow I say was Louis Omer and told him about the circumstances and him being missing all night, and I believe we went back up. I told him about the car being up there, and when we got back up we looked around and through the back part, in the alley and saw nothing.

Q. Was the back door of the shop locked or barred?

A. I don't think so.

Q. Were yo uout of it?

A. We went on through the building and went out the back way.

Q. Can you state anything further that you know of?

A. Well we then went on down and, the next man we saw was Aubrey Cushman. We told him, and thought maybe that he had been up to the Masonic hall and we had been there and could not get in,and Mr. Cushman said he had a key to the hall and we went up and that Mr. Cushman said he could get in and he went with us. Went up and looked in the hall and he was not there, and came back and went to the building, Stanley's marble shop. Cushman asked us if we had looked in the well and we told him we did not know anything about it. Different ones were coming in all the time, and we had quite a crowd gathered, and we prodded around in the well with a pole, and Cushman located something. First had a small piece of gas pipe with a small hook on the end of it, just a short piece, and we pulled him up part of the way, but that did not hold, being blunt, slipped off. Then we got what is known as a grab hook, fastened it on a rope that Karl Roleke had brought over, pulled him out of the water with it, and then looped the rope around his leg, and pulled him out on the floor.

Q. What way was his face with reference to the wall?

A. As near as I can remember his face to the wall, but in moving him around and putting the rope on his foot his back was to the wall, and we pulled him up with this face up.

Q. You think you pulled him up with his face to the wall?

A. Yes, I think so.

Q. Now let us understand, if this were the well, the curbing comes around out like that, and when they pulled him up was the face over the curbing or the back?

A. The back after we got him to the top of the water; we then put a rope around his leg and pulled him up. I am pretty sure with his back down, but up till that time his face had been to the wall.

Q. Was there any blood that had dropped or was dropping?

A. Nothing but his face, there was bloody water dripping from his face.

Q. Anything else that you know that you have not told?

A. That is all.

Karl Roleke, of lawful age, being duly sworn, stated that:

Q. Mr. Roleke, you know Mr. Stanley?

A. Yes sir.

Q. When was your attention first called to the fact that Mr. Stanley was missing?

A. When I was coming to town this morning Dick Flint asked me if I had been to town, and I said no, and he asked if I had heard Stanley had committed suicide or somebody had murdered him, and I could not realize it hardly, and when I got in front of the marble shop I seen quite a crowd and somebody asked me if I had a rope to fasten on a grab hook to pull him out with. I went over the the shop and got this rope and then I went over to the marble shop and Aubrey Cushman tied the rope on the grab hook. Several men around the well. They pulled him up to the top of the water and I could not get up any closer until they got him over the curbing, and his face was up then.

Q. Did you notice anything around his neck?

A. Yes sir.

Q. What was it?

A. There was a rope tied around his neck and a sack of something with a wire around the sack, and the rope in a slipknot around his neck.

Q. Was it a sack of sand or cement?

A.

A. Don't know which.

Q. How heavy do you suppose it to be?

A. About fifty or sixty pounds.

Q. Was the rope real tight around his throat?

A. Never noticed.

Q. Who removed the rope?

A. Don't know.

Q. Was the rope untied before he was laid out on the floor?

A. No.

Olin Kies, of lawful age, being duly sworn, stated:

Q. Mr. Kies, you were well acquainted with Mr. Stanley?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. You knew something about his business conditions?

A. Yes sir, to a certain extent.

Q. How long have you known Mr. Stanley?

A. Twenty five years or better.

Q. When did you last see him?

A. Could not just say as to that, possibly a couple of days ago.

Q. Do you know of any trouble he has had?

A. No.

Q. Did not seem to be worried or depressed over his business?

A. No sir.

Q. Do you know of any family or other trouble?

A. No sir.

Birt Allen, of lawful age, being duly sworn, stated:

Q. Mr Allen, do you live in Bethany?

A. Yes sir.

Q. You have known Mr. Stanley some time?

A. Yes sir.

Q. Are you familiar with his business affairs in a general way?

A. No, I don't believe I am, I don't know so very much only in insurance and ways like that.

Q. What are they?

A. Well in the last few years, a good many times I have had business wite Mr. Stanley in the ways of title, loans, and insurance, and as far as business is concerned, always write his insurance here and have lately, but nothing of any consequence.

Q. Have you had any conversation in the last week or so relative to business affairs.

A. He came up to see us Saturday or Monday evening, rather late, and said he needed some money and thought we might have some. I asked him how much and he said $750.00 and wanted to know if I could get it for him or locate it for him.

Q. That was not in the way of a farm loan?

A. No, just wanted temporary money and plenty of collateral of all kind for security, and he said he needed it mighty bad. I told him I thought I could locate it for him, but the party was out of town who had the money. Early Monday Stanley came up, but the party had not come back so I had not been able to see my party, and told him I would see him soon, so about some two or three hours later Stanley came up and said he had found the money and if I had not made any arrangements, not to, and I had not got around to it.

Q. Did he seem to be worried?

A. I don't believe he was.

Q. Did he act as usual?

A. About the same.

Q. When did you talk to him last?

A. Yesterday.

Q. What did you talk about?

A. Don't just remember.

Q. He was all right as far as you could see?

A. Not any different than usual.

Wilbur Planck, of lawful age, being duly sworn, stated:

Q. Mr. Planck, you have known Mr. Stanley for some time?

A. Yes sir.

Q. From that acquaintance you are familiar with his business affairs?

A. In a way, familiar with some of them.

Q. Did you have any business relations in the last month?

A. Yes sir.

Q. State to the jury whether or not he seemed to be worried because of his financial condition.

A. The last business transaction I had with him, he seemed to be worried, but not to the extent of taking his own life. Mr. Stanley talked to me pretty freely about the matters he had in hand and in which I was concerned about, and he seemed to be depressed in a way and worried, no more than lots of other men I have seen under such circumstances.

Q. He has talked to you several times in the last six months or so, did he seem to be depressed often?

A. Well, not until the last month or so.

Q. Did you ever notice when he seemed to be very deeply worried?

A. Not any more than lots of other men.

Q. You know of no enemies that he had?

A. none.

Q. Know of any trouble he had with anyone?

A. No sir.

Logan Prentiss, being of lawful age, duly sworn, stated:

Q. You are well acquainted with Mr. Stanley?

A. Yes sir.

Q. You know anything about Mr. Stanley's business?

A. Yes sir, I think I do.

Q. Would you say he was heavily involved and wasworried?

A. My opinion would be that he was not worried.

Q. Have you talked to him in the last month relative to his business?

A. In the last couple of days.

Q. He has business relations with your bank?

A. Yes. Each time he talked, he brought up the subject himself about his deals and how he expected to do them. Mr. Stanley was a man exceedingly prompt in his obligations, and if he could not meet the, he would let you know.

Q. When did you last see him?

A. Well, he was in the bank yesterday with his son-in-law, Mr. Maple, transacted some business which concerned them both.

Q. Did he act as usual?

A. Yes, sir, he did; he was pleasant, and if he had any worries he did not show them.

Did you know of any enemies that he had?

A. None.

Q. Do you know of any collections or any deals he had made lately?

continued on page 6.

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

17 Nov 1911 Bethany Clipper, Bethany, MO

The following persons were selected as petit jurors for the January term, 1912, of the Circuit Court. Fox Creek.....Frank M. Brown