Omer Dutton
Birth July 1873
Death January 25, 1889
Burial Nevada Municipal Cemetery, Nevada, Iowa

Omer Dutton
February 7, 1889
Manning Monitor

SUICIDE OF OMER B. DUTTON.
It is not often that a more sad case of suicide is chronicled than that which occurred in Manning last Thursday night. Omer B. Dutton was apparently in his usual spirits when he left school in the afternoon and played with his schoolmates until nearly six o'clock, when he went to the home of his brother, Mr. Orson E. Dutton, where he has lived since last spring and did the usual chores, not acting in the least strange. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton spent the evening with Donald W. Sutherland and wife, and on their return, about 10:35, Mrs. Emma Dutton discovered a note on the table, on the envelope of which was written:
Please read this twice.
Yours Forever, Omer Dutton.

She took the note and read the following:
MANNING, Ia., January 24, 1889.
Dear FATHER, SISTER AND BROTHERS:
Life is not worth living to me. Some people enjoy life, but it seems to be a burden to me. I have been thinking for some time that I would like to die. Everybody says no person is in his right mind when they think so. Do not think so for I am in as good a mind as ever, and that is very poor. I want to be buried by the side of my mother at Nevada. I will meet you in another world, happier than this one.
Sincerely; Omer B. Dutton.

Mrs. Emma Dutton was much agitated and could only point to the note and tell her husband to read. He read it and then hastened to Omer's room, and not finding him there searched for him in all the rooms upstairs. His wife thought she heard him breathing in her bedroom and it was there that he was found. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton returned to the Sutherland's and gave the alarm, and in a few minutes Drs. Brigham and Barber and several other friends arrived to give assistance.

It was found that the young man had placed a 32-calibre revolver into his mouth and sent a leaden ball through his brain. His wound was carefully dressed and everything done that medical skill could think of, but it was known that life could not linger but a few hours at least. Telegrams were sent to his father, Orson B. Dutton, President of the First National Bank at Missouri Valley and a brother, O.J. Dutton, banker at Grand Junction, the former arriving on the 1:27 Milwaukee train. The boy lived until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, being unconscious from the time of the fatal shot. The deceased was 15 years, 5 months and 7 days old. He was unobtrusive in disposition and although he was a jovial companion among his playmates, he took more comfort in reading books and papers than in any other way. He had no cares, had a luxurious home, money at command, and received every attention that a loving brother could bestow, and why this fit of despondency came so suddenly is explained only in the fact that he got to thinking about his mother, who died on the 24th of last April, which caused a partial alienation of the mind, and when it is known with what passionate fondness the mother and son were bound together, it is reasonable to assign this as the cause. Services were held at the home Saturday at 11 A.M. and the remains were taken to Nevada on the noon Northwestern train for interment. The many friends of this most respected family deeply sympathize with them in this sad affliction.

Story County Watchman February 1, 1889
On Friday evening word was received here that Omer Dutton, a fifteen-year-old son of Orson B. Dutton {and the late Elizabeth (Beavers) Dutton} a former resident had just died and would be buried at this point. The remains reached this point Saturday and were laid to rest in the Nevada Cemetery beside that of his mother. The telegraph to the daily papers gave the following account of the death:
Manning, Iowa, January 26, 1889
Omer Dutton's suicidal attempt resulted in his death at three p.m. yesterday. The circumstances of this affair are peculiarly sad. About a year ago his mother died, and he has been unable to bear the mention of her name since. Thursday evening his brother and wife, upon their return from an evening's call, found young Dutton lying on the bed, shot through the head. He had placed a 32-caliber revolver in his mouth and the ball went entirely through and out of his head, lodging in the ceiling above. On the table nearby was a letter saying in substance that he had long meditated upon this way of leaving the world, that he was not crazy, but tired of this world and wanted to lie beside his mother in Nevada. His brothers and father and other relatives arrived on the train yesterday morning, but of course were unable to do anything. The entire community sympathizes with them in their terrible affliction.
Mr. Dutton was formerly a banker in this place and is well liked and sincere sympathy of the people here go out to him in this his hour of affliction.
PASSED ON
On the 25th day of January 1889, in this city the burial services were held over the remains of Omer Dutton, who suddenly passed away at the home of his brother, O. E. Dutton, of Manning, Iowa.
He was the youngest son of Oson B. Dutton, of Missouri Valley Junction.
Since his mother passed away in the early spring, he has appeared melancholy and devoid of his usual energy. The love existing between them being so great, it has seemed to throw a shadow over him, which could not be dispelled.
Were it not for the assurance by angels given of a nobler and better life, in the happier world where loved ones are never separated, the stricken ones who yet remain, would in this midnight of their lives sink into utter hopelessness. Weep not dear Friends, your loved ones have only laid aside their outer garments and arrayed themselves in brighter apparel.
With the help of the angels and a mother's tender care, this son and brother will quickly enrobe himself in manhood's nobler form and be ready to greet Father, Brothers, and Sisters, at the portal of that home, which also soon will be yours, and gladly welcome you there.
Not dead, is Omer your darling,
The angels accept him as one.
And out from under this shadow
They have borne to the mother, her son.