Return to Obit Index || Return to 'T' Obit Index

Obit For Richard David Tillman
Headline Murder and Suicide
Text Dave Tillman, who killed his wife, Thursday morning at 8 o'clock, Sept. 26, by cutting her throat at the home of their son, Jack Tillman, one mile north of Seligman, was found dead Monday morning about two hundred yards from the scene of the crime. It is apparent that he committed suicide by cutting his throat soon after committing his deed.

The cause for the murder of his wife came from renewing a feeling of unity which had darkened their marriage life for many years. Tillman had been in accusation for the past few years to leave his wife for many months at a time and then returning to remain only a few weeks.

On account of his little respect for home, Mrs. Tillman had been living for some time with her son, Jack Tillman, who was at Joplin at the time of this act.

Mrs. Jack Tillman states that Mr. and Mrs. Tillman appeared to be in a pleasant mood that morning, attending to the duties of the home, until abut 8 o'clock when she noticed them scuffling in an adjoining room and saw him perform the deed that instantly killed his wife. Mrs. Jack Tillman ran immediately to her nearest neighbor and told the news which soon brought many of their neighbors to the scene of the crime.

Tillman made his disappearance, giving Sheriff Newman and other officials careful search in the surrounding country and parts of Oklahoma, until his body was found by his two sons, Monday morning about 11 o'clock lying in a patch of under brush in sight of the house.

Mrs. Tillman was 62 years old and was a highly respected citizen. Tillman was a man of 64 years of age and was of a quite disposition.

They leave a family of three children. They are Harry Tillman, of Carterville; Mrs. Rose Garland of Pierce City and Jack Tillman of Seligman. The body of Mrs. Tillman was buried in the Reed cemetery and the remains of Tillman were buried Monday evening at the New Salem Cemetery.
Newspaper Cassville Republican
Date September 26, 1912, Thursday
Death Cert Link Death Certificate
Resource State Historical Society of MO Microfilm
Submitted by Donna Cooper