Insley - J.N. - 1890
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Thursday 28 Aug 1890
Mr. Insley’s death were maliciously false in several important particulars. This can be judged from the fact that the subject matter was sent the Chicago papers by the man who had hounded Mr. Insley to his death. Mr. Insley was neither short in his accounts nor had he appropriated to his own use money belonging to another. The estate of which he was the administrator even from the first would not amount to several thousand dollars. Several hundred would be nearer the truth. He was not a wealthy man who had failed in his business, neither had he encumbered his property to make up any shortage in his accounts. On the other hand the small sum of money left by a former business partner who died some years ago had been expended by him judiciously for the minor heirs, educating them and caring for them with the kindness and tenderness of a father. He had settled with some of them to the satisfaction of the court. The only point of trouble in the final settlement was a purely technical one. Without a previous order from the court he had expended judiciously as he though a small sum of money, for the benefit of the heirs. Not one cent had been appropriated to his own use.
A malicious foe who had since tried to befoul the pure name of an honest and trusted man took this technicality and for mercenary motives pressed it further than the sensitive nature could bear. Being a man of the highest sense of honor and weakened by failing health he could not endure the obloquy that this man heaped upon him. Mr. Insley was universally esteemed by the people of Oskaloosa as being a man of the highest honor and of the purest motives. He was a leading member of the Methodist Church and was greatly beloved because of his high Christian character. His tragic taking off caused a gloom throughout the community. The funeral was attended by an immense concourse of people and was the saddest ever held in the town.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday 26 Aug 1890
J. J. Insley returned from Oskaloosa, Kansas, on Tuesday morning wither he had been called by the tragic death of his brother, J. N. Insley.
Source: Muncie Morning News Saturday 30 August 1890 p 1
Crawfordsville, Ind Aug 30 – The tragic death of J.N. Insley at Oskaloosa, has awakened deep interest here. His suicide was caused by a man who hounded him to death. Someone wired the leading papers that Insley was short $8,000. He was not short one cent. This, with failing health, caused the rash act. His home is in this city. He was a man of high Christian character.
Source: Oskaloosa, Kansas Independent Sat 23 August 1890 p 3
The appeal of the Metzger heirs from the final settlement of the Eli Metzger estate is now being tried before Charley Hayden of Holton, referee, Mr. JN Insley, administrator. The case seems to be a tedious one.
Source: Oskaloosa Independent Sat 30 Aug 1890 p 3
The funeral of Mr. JN Insley at the ME Church last Sunday afternoon was the largest assembly on such an occasion in the history of our city. One entire side of the church was reserved for the orders participating in the services – Masons; Eastern Star; GAR Post and Ladies’ Circle – but did not nearly seat all, many, with hundreds of private citizens, occupying the yard outside, the number present being estimated at a thousand. The church was draped in mourning as was Mr. Insley’s chair in the choir and his hymn-book lying in the chair. Appropriate music was furnished by the choir, followed with memorial remarks by Rev. Mr. Billingsley and the ritual service of the Masons of which order Mr. Insley was a member. The procession was headed by the Masonic Fraternity followed by the other orders and citizens. The services at the cemetery were conducted by the Masons. – Memoir – John Newton Insley, deceased was born in Tippecanoe County in the state of Indiana on the 1st day of May 1837. He resided there till the late Civil War broke out when at his country’s call he volunteered as a soldier in the 72nd Ind. At the very beginning he was commissioned 2nd Lt. He had not been long in the service however, until because of his recognized ability and integrity, he received his commission as 1st Lt. and Quartermaster of his regiment. While serving in this capacity his regiment was upon a forced march after that daring officer of the Confederate Army, General John Morgan. From this forced he received injuries which made it necessary to resign his office. He was honorably discharged from the service and returned to his Indiana home. Here on the 11th day of May 1863 he married his now bereaved wife. About two years after their marriage, they came to Jefferson County, Kansas where he has since lived and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens. Twice he was elected to the office of county clerk for this county and for four years served its citizens with great acceptability. It is not saying too much to say that the very attractive courtyard grounds of this city are what they are today largely because of the public spirit and enterprise of Capt. JN Insley. He was not a narrow-minded, selfish man but on the contrary was always identified with every enterprise having in view the best good an development of the community in which he resided. He died in Oskaloosa, Kansas between 5:00 and 6:00 o’clock on Friday morning Aug 22nd, 1890 aged 53 years 3 months 21 days. He was a member of the Masonic Order and also of the Grand Army Post of this city in both of which he was considered a worthy member. His eldest child sleeps beneath the grassy mound in a cemetery near his childhood home in the state of Indiana. He leaves a wife and four children, with a large circle of friends and neighbors to mourn his loss. His funeral was perhaps more largely attended than that of any other that has ever occurred in this community. Capt. Insley was widely known and wherever known, was highly esteemed. The funeral was held in the ME Church of which he had been for many years, a useful and loyal member. After religious services and a short address by the writer, the masonic fraternity took charge of the remains and with appropriate ceremonies committed to its last resting place, all that was mortal of JN Insley … LK Billingsley.
Source: Leavenworth, Kansas Times Sat 23 Aug 1890 p 4
Capt. HM Insley was terribly shocked yesterday morning on receiving a telegram from Oskaloosa stating that his brother, JN Insley was dead. The telegram conveyed none of the particulars of the death but it was afterwards learned that Mr. Insley’s death was administered by his own hand. He deliberately took a revolver and shot himself four times through the left breast, the fourth shot piercing the heart. Mr. Insley had been attending a law suit involved some $2,000 or $3,000 which had been in progress there during the week and in which he was largely interested. When the case was given to the jury it looked unfavorable to Mr. Insley and the matter so preyed upon his mind that it might have superinduced him to fire the fatal shots. As far as can be learned here, no definite cause has yet been assigned for the deed. The deceased was a member of the real estate and banking firm of Insley, Hamilton & Co of Oskaloosa and the cashier of the Oskaloosa bank. He was a very prominent man in that county having twice been elected county treasurer which he filled acceptably. Capt. Insley and family left yesterday afternoon for Oskaloosa to attend the funeral which will take place Sunday.
Note: Cleared of any wrong doing