The Enterprise
Afton, Iowa, Nov. 10, 1881
John W. Alley, Esq. Of this place put an end to his earthly existence on last Monday by the use of arsenic. He procured the poison in the morning under the pretense of killing rats and went to his office and ate it. Some of his friends on entering the office enquired what he was eating, was told what his intentions were and that he had tried to drown himself last week and failed, but he thought that the dose that he had just taken would do the business. Physicians were sent for. Mr. Alley protested against receiving any medical treatment whatever. At about 12 o'clock the poison took effect and he complained of being very sick, but still he resisted until being told that he would now be compelled to swallow what was offered him, when he gave up, but it was to late. He suffered considerably at intervals and died at about 1 o'clock Tuesday morning. The cause of this set of Mr. Alley's is said to be on account of his being unable to conquer his appetite for liquor. Mr. Alley was a man whom this community liked and one whom no fault was found in, with the exception of his long acquired bad habit of drinking. He was about 35 years old, raised from childhood in Afton by a kind and christian mother, his father having died when John was a child. His funeral took place on last Tuesday at 4 o'clock P.M.
The deceased leaves a wife, (who is very sick), two little children, and a heart-broken mother. The family have the sympathies of the entire community.
(Nov. 17, 1881 paper news item: Mrs. Annie Alley, widow of John Alley, started last Saturday for her father's home at Leon. Mother Alley is at present making her home with B. F. Martz)
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