Iowa Old Press

LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, (Plymouth), Iowa, Friday, February 11,
1938, Page 1, Column 7:

John Donahoe Ends His Life In City Jail
Officer Making Early Rounds Discovers Lifeless Body Of Hapless Man
Chokes Self With Tie
Was Popular Veterinarian For Forty Years


John S. Donahoe, 67, well known resident of Plymouth county for many
years, used his necktie to strangle himself to death in the city jail
sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

Dr. Donahoe was arrested early Tuesday evening and held in the city jail
on a charge of intoxication.

He lifeless body was discovered by Officer Fay Terpenning about 4:30
Wednesday morning. The unfortunate man had wrapped the tie around his neck
and fastened an end to one of the bars of the cell, while half reclining on
a cot. Donahoe was seen by the officer shortly after 1 o'clock and was
sleeping. Four transients afforded sleeping room in the jail, told officers
they had heard no disturbance during the night. Coroner S. H. Luken was
called to take charge. Officials said there was no need of an inquest as it
was a plain case of suicide.

Donahoe had been drinking heavily of late and was, it is reported,
worried over financial difficulties.

Shock to Many

The news of his tragic death came as a shock as Donahoe was widely known
and liked. He was of a liberal and generous disposition and had friends all
over Plymouth and adjoining counties.

John Stephen Donahoe was born at Galena, Ill., December 27, 1870. With
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Donahoe, he came to Cherokee county, and
later to Remsen and LeMars. Mr. Donahoe, when a youth, was employed with A.
Y. Weir, who conducted, among other ventures, a racing stable and entered
horses at the principal tracks in a number of states.

Mr. Donahoe followed the occupation of veterinarian for many years and
his services were in demand among a large number of farmers. He was a lover
of horses and dogs and had a natural aptitude in discerning their qualities
and their requirements.

Mr. Donahoe is survived by his wife, who was before her marriage
Margaret Elizabeth Kern. They were married in Sioux City, July 3, 1908. He
also leaves a son, Jack, a daughter, Undine, a sister, Mrs. Anna McEvoy of
Des Moines, and a brother, Edward Donahoe of Oakland, Cal.

Funeral This Afternoon

The funeral will be held this Friday afternoon at the Luken Funeral Home
at 2 o'clock. Rev. Ralph H. Hunger will officiate at the service and
interment will be made in the city cemetery. The pallbearers will be John
Brangwin, G. W. Cunningham, Harry Draper, Harry Fitzpatrick, R. M. Latham,
P. Swain.





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