ADAIR COUNTY NEWS

 

The Adair County News, November 27, 1907 Suicided in Kansas City Mr. J. B. Thomas, who was a native of Casey county, and for several years a subscriber to the News, committed suicide at Kansas City, Mo., a few days ago by shooting his brains out. For many years he had been a citizen of Albany, Mo., and was cashier of the Bank in that city when he committed the fatal act. He had held many positions of trust, and was Past Grand Master of the Masonic Fraternity of Missouri. Before he left this section of Kentucky he was school teacher, Dr. J. T. Jones, of Montpelier [Adair County], being one of his pupils.* Financial trouble is given as the cause for suiciding. * More likely, Mr. Thomas was one of Dr. Jones' students; see next article. * * * * The Adair County News, December 11, 1907 J. B. Thomas I was grieved to learn through the News that Joshua B. Thomas, of Albany, Mo., had committed suicide in Kansas City. It called me back in memory to that intensely cold winter of 62 and 63 when I was trying to instruct about 25 boys at old Pleasant Hill church, near Montpelier, Ky. The subject of this sketch was about 16 years of age and a pupil in that school -- very quiet, and studious always found--strictly on the line of duty, a favorite of the boys though seldom engaging in their sports. During intermissions he would be solving difficult problems in arithmetic, and I have never known anyone to advance so rapidly in mathematics as he did. With limited opportunities for obtaining an education he learned blacksmithing from his father who lived near Dun[n]ville, Ky. When quite a young man he located at Albany, Mo., and continued to work at his trade for a while, but was soon elected county clerk. After holding other county offices, he was appointed Chairman of the Missouri State Board of Mediation and Arbitration by Governor Dockery* and reappointed by Governor Folk.* He was a member of the St. Joseph Asylum Board under Governor Stone; * was Past Grand Master of the Masonic Fraternity in Missouri; was President of the Missouri Banker's Association and besides held several other positions of trust. he did not forget his old friends and schoolmates. He wrote me last summer and requested me write him the names of all living in this community [Montpelier]. None are here except L.P. Hurt, G. A. Bradshaw and Frank Sanders.    /s/  J. T. Jones. * Governor Stone served Jan. 1893 - Jan. 1897; Gov. Dockery served Jan. 1901 - Jan. 1905; and Gov. Folk succeeded Gov. Dockery. An entry found at <findagrave.com> notes this gravemarker information in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany, Gentry Co., Missouri: Joshua B. Thomas, June 18, 1849 - November 15, 1907.