Louie Lee MAXWELL

December 12, 1900 - October 9, 1930

*Obituary
Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun
Thursday, October 16, 1930

MAXWELL, Louis Lee - Did Louis Maxwell, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Maxwell, former residents of this community, take his own life or was he murdered by some person or persons unknown? After a week's investigation the mystery surrounding his death has been unsolved although officers have tracked down every clue. They are quietly waiting for fresh developments. Maxwell, who was about 30 years of age, had a good position, a happy home and two young sons. He was found dead in his automobile near the cemetery in Rogers about 9 o'clock Friday night. He had been killed by a shotgun wound in his head. When discovered a shot gun was found in his right hand and there were powder burns on his other hand. Coroner A.D. Callison viewed the body at which it was then decided to be a plain case of suicide. Following new developments an inquest was held Saturday and a number of witnesses were examined. The coroner's jury rendered a verdict that the deceased was killed by shotgun wounds by a person or persons unknown. Ollie Wade, a friend of Maxwell who was arrested earlier in the week was turned loose upon the jury's recommendation. A report was current in Bentonville this morning that Wade and his wife had left Rogers. Maxwell, it is said, had about $40 on his person the afternoon of his death but when the body was searched the money was not found.

*Obituary
Rogers Daily News
Friday, October 10, 1930

Louie Lee Maxwell, 29, was found dead in his automobile at the south side of the Rogers cemetery about 9 o'clock Thursday night from a gunshot wound that appeared to have been self inflicted. A charge of No. 4 shot from a 12 gauge shotgun had entered the right side of his head just above the ear, completely blowing away the top of his head. His right hand was found clutching the gun and powder burns on the thumb and index finger of the left hand indicated that the muzzle had been held against his head with the left hand while the right hand was used to pull the trigger. Maxwell left his home with the gun at noon Thursday to return it to its owner, however parties riding with him about 6 p.m. said he did not have the weapon in the car at that time. Maxwell is believed to have ended his life about 8 p.m., the time that residents of that section reported hearing a gunshot. The body was discovered about 9 o'clock by Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Blandford as they drove by the spot where Maxwell's Ford roadster was parked. They had passed a few minutes earlier and noticed the peculiar position of the body in the car. They drove home but after deciding that something was wrong they returned and found the body. No note or other indications of Maxwell's motive for the act has been found and friends and members of the family were unable to establish a motive. Friends who were with him only a short time before he is believed to have shot himself said he appeared to be in good spirits. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at Oakley's Chapel with burial in the Oakley Chapel cemetery. Maxwell is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ethel Maxwell; two children, Billy, 6, and Bobby Joyce, 4 months; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Maxwell; two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Jones, Akron, Ohio and Mrs. Eunice Wolf of Pea Ridge, and four brothers, Russell, John, Earl and Lon Maxwell.

Contributed on 3/7/09 by wfields55
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Record #: 164805

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