Perry Rupe
October 3, 1895 – December 21, 1929
Perry Rupe Dies From Bullet on Saturday Night
Worry Over Brother’s Death Thought to be Reason for Suicide
Perry Rupe, a veteran of the World War, committed suicide Saturday evening about 8 o’clock at the home of his stepfather and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Coon, one mile east of Bluff Point.
The young man had been in this city during the afternoon. After returning home in the evening he had shaved, bathed and dressed in clean clothing.
When his mother did not hear him retire, after waiting for some time, she made an investigation and found him dead, lying on the floor, with a .22 caliber target rifle near him.
He had layed the gun with a “long” cartridge, tied a piece of twine around the trigger and placed the string around the butt of the gun to get a reverse action when pulled. He placed the gun against the top of his head and fired the fatal shot, the bullet penetrating downward through the brain cavity.
The young man left a letter in which he said that he “had always spent Christmas with Pete, and would again this year.” His brother, Peter Rupe, was burned to death in a fire which destroyed the house where he was staying near Atlanta, Michigan on November 23.
With the letter was the Testament he had carried in the World War, also a plat of the farm, suggesting certain crops for each field during the coming year. He also mentioned a few, small debts and asked that they be paid in addition to this, he had made arrangements for his funeral, naming the pall bearers and suggested details for the last rites.
The deceased was a son of Martin and Manda F. (Brown) Rupe and was born in Jay County October 3, 1895, being aged at the time of his death, 34 years, 2 months and 18 days.
He is survived by his mother, step-father and the following brothers and sisters: Russel Rupe of New Mount Pleasant; Carl Rupe, at home; Lawrence Rupe of Detroit; Lulu, wife of Harry Funk of near Blaine; Mrs. Cora Millsap of Mt. Ayr, Iowa; Miss Mabel Rupe and Alta, wife of Virgil Wickersham, both of Detroit.
The following half-brothers and half-sisters also survive: Earl Rupe and John Rupe of this city; Dora, wife of David McDonald of northwest of Portland; Ellen, wife of Owen Binegar of Randolph County; Revina, wife of Rufus Watson; Mrs. Ethel Bird and Mrs. Elmer Henizer of this county.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 1:00 o’clock from the Bluff Point Church, Rev. C. E. Seffres, pastor of the West Walnut Street Church of Christ will officiate and interment will be made in the church cemetery.
Commercial Review, Portland, IN; December 23, 1929
Contributed by Jim Cox