Virgil Dale Lincoln

Virgil Lincoln Takes Own Life With Shotgun Today

Brooding Over Death of Friend in Auto Accident Last Week Believed to be Motive For Rash Act of Young Man

Virgil Lincoln, 21 years old, an employee of the Boyd Chevrolet garage and well known in Lusk, as well as in the western end of the county, took his own life here this morning, near his home in the north end of Lusk, blowing the top of his head off with a shotgun which he borrowed from a neighbor for the purpose.

It is believed by friends that temporary derangement brought on by brooding over the death of Glen Coen, a close friend, in an automobile accident last week, was the motive for the suicide.

Lincoln left the Boyd Chevrolent garage , where he had a night shift, at about 8:15 this morning , apparently in the best of spirits. Upon his arrival at he ate breakfast and rested on a couch. He told his mother to put him up a good lunch, because it would be the last one she would have to fix for him. This remark alarmed his mother, but she did not think he would resort to suicide.

Lincoln left the home and went to the home of Morris Osher, a neighbor, where he obtained a shotgun on the pretext of going rabbit hunting. Getting into his car, he drove past his home without stopping and proceeded to the bridge across the Niobrara river, on the road to the Silver Cliff Dairy, where he stopped his car.

Within a short time, Mr. Osher came by the Lincoln home and was hailed by Mrs. Lincoln, who inquired as to Virgil's mission to the Osher home. Upon being informed that he had borrowed a shotgun, Mrs. Lincoln immediately thought of suicide and she and Mr. Osher started to find the young man and try to refrain him from taking his life. As the two approached, Lincoln turned his car about, and drove toward town for a short distance and again stopped.  As Mrs. Lincoln and Mr. Osher approached within 30 yards they heard the report of the gun and saw young Lincoln lurch forward, death being instantaneous.

Virgil Lincoln is survived by his mother and five brothers. Funeral arrangements will be in charge of the Peet Mortuary, but the time of service has not been announced.

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The Lusk Herald, November 19, 1936

Funeral of Virgil Lincoln Held Here

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday afternoon at the Congregational Church for Virgil Lincoln, who took his life with a shotgun on last Thursday morning. Rev. George Jenkins had charge of the services with the Peet Mortuary in charge of the funeral arrangements.

He his survived by his mother, five brothers, Lloyd of Rushville, Nebr., Leonard of Lance Creek; Russell of San Fernando, California; Billy and Jimmy who reside here with their family, and one sister, Mrs. Emery Gaukel of Keeline.

Pallbearers were Clark Kuhn, Leo Duel, Ted and "Red" Jensen, Earl Shatto, and Rex Umphenour.

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