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Submitted: 12/4/13 • Approved: 12/4/13 • Last Updated: 12/7/13 • R962653-G0-S3
1895 - August 26, 1923
*Obituary
Rogers Democrat
Thursday, August 30, 1923
KING, Arch - Crazed by worrying over domestic troubles, very largely of his own making, Arch King committed suicide Sunday morning by swallowing a dose of strychnine. He was under arrest at the time and had made his escape from Deputy Sheriff Bob Wells, who was taking him to Bentonville to place him in the county jail, by jumping from the automobile several miles west of Rogers on the Walnut street road. There is small doubt but that the thought of suicide had been in King's mind for some time for the poison was secured from a Rogers drug store early that morning, just after he had arrived from Kansas City on the morning train and before he attempted to see his wife or before he had been threatened with arrest, although he knew that he faced the latter when he returned to Rogers. The charge against him was not serious enough to warrant such a desperate act to escape the law and his suicide appears to have been a premeditated step to wind up his earthly troubles should he fail to secure the children or effect a reconciliation with his wife. King, who was a trifle over 28 years old, was born and raised in Benton county and was a son of Sam King. He was married and leaves a wife and 3 daughters, the oldest about 8; the youngest, 3. His wife is a daughter of John Matthews and wife of Rogers and she and the girls had been living with them since King was arrested about July 4 and fined on the charge of assaulting and cursing his wife. Other warrants were issued on various charges and King was under bond for the September term of circuit court. Deputy Wells also had a warrant for his arrest for breach of the peace. King left the state, going to Kansas City where he found work and was staying with his sisters, Mrs. W.L. Cromwell and Mrs. Bessie Myers, both formerly of Rogers. According to the sisters King was anxious for his wife and children to come to him in Kansas City and blamed all the trouble upon his wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews. They say he wrote to Rogers asking his wife to join him and when he received no answer, worried himself almost sick and finally decided to come to Rogers, saying that he would at least bring the children back with him. He arrived in Rogers Sunday morning but before going to the Matthews home bought a small bottle of strychnine. He called twice at the place but his wife was not there and he did not see her. In the meantime Mr. Matthews notified Deputy Wells that King was back and feared that he meant to make trouble. King was placed under arrest and Wells, accompanied by Matthews, started with their prisoner for Bentonville. He was very abusive of his father-in-law, declaring him to be the cause of his arrest and of all his troubles. About two and one-half miles west of town King sprang from the car which was making about fifteen miles an hour, and before it could be stopped had regained his feet and started across the field on the run. Several men in that neighborhood joined in the chase and he was overtaken after a run of a mile or so. Wells took him back to the car and they proceeded on the trip to Bentonville. Before they arrived King became violently ill and was hurried to the office of the sheriff and physicians hastily summoned. It was too late however to give him any relief and he died within a few minutes. Funeral services were held at the City Cemetery yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and were conducted by Rev. J.L. Barrett of the Baptist church. His sisters were here from Kansas City as well as his father and other relatives, for they have many relatives in and around Rogers. Mrs. Henry Goodhart of Rogers is an aunt and Burr Potts an uncle of the deceased.
Contributed on 12/4/13 by wfields55
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Record #: 962653