John B. Walk

1847 - 1901

Goshen’s 11th Mayor

1892 - 1894

John B. Walk Suicides

Township Trustee Hangs Himself
in His Office

HAD LONG BEEN DESPONDENT

Used a Piece of Wrapping Cord Which 

He Tied to the End of Gas Pipe and

Fell in Stooping posture.

From Wednesday Daily

John B. Walk, former mayor and city clerk and present township trustee committed suicide in his office over Riley’s hardware store shortly afternoon today by hanging himself. He was discovered by a little daughter of George Long, who had gone to the place about 1 o’clock to get public aid. The child was terribly frightened at the horrible sight before her and hurrying down the stairway she called Jacob Brown, who was standing nearby and breathlessly told that a man had hanged himself in Mr. Walk’s office. Mr. Brown called to Daniel Otto in Riley’s store and together they went upstairs. The hall door to Mr. Walk’s office was standing wide open and his body was in plain sight. They cut the stout cord around his neck but he was already cold in death. The news of the suicide spread rapidly and soon a large crowd collected at the place. Marshal Self ordered the doors locked and Dr. Bowser was called in, but life was extinct. Coroner Eisenbeiss was summoned by telephone and a messenger sent to the Walk home to inform the family of the shocking affair. Mr. Walk twice attempted suicide. About a year ago he took morphine at his residence but did not accomplish his purpose. He brought about his death by tying a piece of heavy wrapping cord about his neck and fastening it to the plug of a gas pipe in the side of the wall near his desk. He fell into a stooping posture and strangled. When cut down his face was toward the wall and his knees almost touched the floor. Ever since he failed in the drug business several years ago Mr. Walk was despondent and for some time past he was scarcely mentally responsible. His friends looked for an improvement, however, and last fall he was elected township trustee in the hope that he would succeed in again regaining a substantial footing. He succeeded Trustee Hess and was given all assistance possible in his work. The rumor afloat that his accounts are not accurate is without foundation insofar as can now be learned. After Coroner Eisenbeiss viewed the body this afternoon it was removed to the family home on South Main Street.

Geo. W. Ellis, county superintendent of schools called on Mr. Walk yesterday and found him with the cord he used to hang himself in his hands, but did not suspicion anything. Today Mr. Ellis was with the trustee until nearly noon. He must have hastened to act as soon as Mr. Ellis left. Mr. Walk did not go to his home for dinner and to all appearances hanged himself about noon.

John B. Walk

Was born in stark county, Ohio, September 24, 1847, and was a son of Jacob M. Walk, who was a farmer. He had his initiatory education in the common schools and for two years attended Mount Union College. Upon leaving this institution he became a clerk in a Canton, Ohio, drug store and in 1872 with his brother, Henry M. Walk came to Goshen and embarked in the drug trade, the partnership continuing 12 years. At the expiration of that time he bought his brother’s interest and continued the business alone. He was an expert pharmacist. Mr. Walk was married November 27, 1871 to Miss Mary Lewis, who with one daughter, Miss Wilma, survives him. John B. Walk was a life long republican and frequency held office. He was city clerk from 1877 to 1879 and mayor from 1892 to 1894. Last fall he was elected trustee of Elkhart Township. He continued in the drug store until it was sold to satisfy claims about 2 years ago. Mr. Walk was a member of the Masonic lodge and had taken the Council degrees. He had held the offices of master high priest and illustrious master.

Besides his wife and daughter, the deceased leaves two sisters, Mrs. Ross Foster of Cleveland and Mrs. A. J. McFeeley of Oklahoma City and one brother, Henry Walk, who is located in the west.

The coroner’s examination showed that no note of explanation was left by Mr. Walk. His effects were locked in the room and the inquest will be held tomorrow. It is difficult to see how such speedy death was produced under the circumstances as the gas pipe is only about 5 feet from the floor.

The Goshen Democrat, Saturday June 1, 1901, page 1