Edwin Burton
| Date of Interment or Death | 09/16/1947 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | C |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 14-2-3 |
Obituary
Edwin Burton Kills Himself While in Fit of Despondency
Body Discovered A Day Later By People From Whom He Rented Rooms
Edwin W. Burton, 62, know to everyone as “Rufus”, committed suicide Thursday afternoon between four and five o’clock. The body was not discovered until four the following afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. William Gast from whom Burton rented rooms, discovered the body when their roomer failed to appear for a considerable period of time. Burton shot off the top of his head with a shotgun. He was despondent over ill health.
His health had been failing to such an extent as to cause him to retire from the postal service after 25 years. He retired January 31, 1943. Recently he had undergone a physical examination the reports of which indicated serious operations were necessary. But his heart was in such condition as to make operating difficult
The Gasts heard the shot Thursday afternoon. But there had been motorcycles on the street in front of the Gast home and a building was being erected across the street. It was assumed that the noise was caused from some explosion outside the home, Friday afternoon. Mrs. Gast told her husband that she had not seen Burton that day and perhaps something had happened to him, his health being bad.
Coroner Frank Schmitt said there would not be an inquest. Burton used a new single barrel 12 gauge shotgun.
Edwin W. Burton was born November 2, 1885, at Preston, Minn., and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Burton. When a boy the parents moved from Preston Minn., to Abercrombie, where Edwin attended grade school and later, his father being elected County Auditor the family moved to Wahpeton. Edwin graduated from Wahpeton High school and for several years was employed by the Fricke Feed Store of Wahpeton.
On April 17, 1917, he joined the Custodial force of the Wahpeton Post Office, where he continued to work until January 31, 1943, when he was retired because of failing health.
He leaves; a brother, Victor who resides in Breckenridge, and three sisters, Miss Gertrude at Washington, D. C., Mrs. Price of Zim, Minn., and Mrs. A. P. Fredrickson who lives in Washington State
Burton was an amateur astronomer of considerable ability. He had some excellent equipment and spent considerable time studying planets. In fact, he had just purchased a new telescope a short time before his death. Years ago, he also took an active part in amateur theatricals, both as a character actor and make-up artist.
Funeral services will be conducted from Schmitt & Olson chapel Tuesday afternoon at two.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.