Edward Back
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - August 16, 1940
SQUAW CREEK LOGGER TAKES OWN LIFE. EMPLOYEE OF THE FLEMING LUMBER CO. KILLS SELF SUNDAY NIGHT--NO REASON FOR DEED APPARENT.
Following a three or four day vacation from his work in the timber, Edward BACK, 66, a logger employed by The Fleming Lumber Company, killed himself by placing the muzzle of a .22 calibre automatic revolver in his moth and pulling the [trigger].
Back had been working for the lumber company for more than a year, at its camp at the head of Squaw creek, as a log cutter. What prompted the act of taking his life is not apparent, as no complaint of health or financial trouble had been heard from him. He was butting logs under contract, and, we are told, had a considerable cut of logs on the skidway in the timber for which he had not drawn his money.
Sunday evening BACK appeared to be in good spirits, when he retired for the night. He ordinarily shared a bunk cabin with Algot and Helmar NELSON, but on this night his roommates were absent in Glenwood on a vacation. The gun used was one he always kept under his pillow in bed. When he retired Sunday evening he locked the cabin door before retiring to bed.
When BACK failed to appear Monday morning, Joe FRANCES, the camp cook, was not alarmed until noon time came and BACK had not appeared. He went to the cabin and found the door locked. On getting no response to his summons, FRANCES broke down the door, finding BACK lying on the bed with the muzzle of the gun at his mouth, dead.
Authorities were notified, who had the body brought to Eagle by Paul ANDRE, of the Andre Mortuary. The tragedy was investigated by the sheriff's and coroner's offices who decided there was no doubt of suicide and an inquest unnecessary.
BACK's nationality is in doubt, but it is though he was a Finlander. He has no known relatives in the United States.
Funeral services were held from the Andre Funeral Home in Eagle Wednesday afternoon, attended by his fellow workmen from the lumber camp, by whom he was very highly regarded. Interment was made in Valley View [sic.] cemetery in Eagle.
