Ralph Duane Brownell (1893-1931)
- Ralph Duane Brownell was born at Plum Grove, Indiana, May 21, 1893 and passed away at the Mercy hospital in Gary, September 14, 1931at the age of 38 years, 3 months and 23 days.
- He attended the Lowell high school and with the beginning of the World War entered the service and served overseas until the close of the conflict.
- Ralph was united in marriage on February 1, 1923, to Roxanna Hatton, to which union three chilren were born, Robert, Bonnie Lou and Jo Ann. He also leaves to mourn his death, a mother, Mrs. Frances R. Brownell, six brothers, two sisters, many nieces and nephews and friends. His father, a sister, and a brother preceded him in death.
- Funeral services were held at the Weaver & Son funeral home at 1:30 p.m. yesterday. The sermon was preached by Rev. C.A. Brown, of Hobart, former pastor of the Lowell M.E. church. The services were in charge of Lowell Post 101, American Legion, of which the deceased was a member. Interment was made at Plum Grove cemetery in charge of Undertakers Weaver & Son.
from an unknown source dated Sept. 17, 1931, found in the Local History Files at the Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 3, page 35):
R. BROWNELL DIED MONDAY IN HOSPITAL
FATALLY SHOT LAST THURSDAY MORNING.
RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AT GARY
- A terrible tragedy occurred at Cedar Lake last Thursday morning when Ralph Brownell was shot by a revolver in the hands of his wife Roxy.
- He was rushed to the Mercy hospital at Gary where it was found that he had been shot through the liver and bowels. It was thought for a while that he might recover from the effects of the shot, but infection set in and it was only a matter of time until death would claim him.
- The story of the shooting as we get it is that Ralph went to Chicago Wednesday in company with Chris Lassen to see the Cubs-White Sox benefit ball game. He did not return until about two o'clock the next morning and when he arrived home there was an argument between him and his wife about him being out so late. In the excitement Mrs. Brownell ran to the bedroom and took a revolver from a dresser drawer and in the tussel for possession of the revolver, it was discharged twice, one of the bullets entering Ralph's body with fatal effect.
- Mrs. Brownell called for help and Ralph was rushed to the hospital. On arriving there he was questioned as to how the shooting occurred and at first claimed he did it himself, but later sent to Lowell for an attorney saying he wished to make a statement to him exonerating his wife from any blame whatever for the shooting saying he was entirely at fault for it all. He also asked members of his family to do anything they could for his wife and children after he was gone and to hold nothing against her as she was in no wise to blame.
- He lingered until about 5:30 Monday morning when death called him. He was conscious all the time from the hour of the shooting until just a few minutes before he died.
- The affair is very regretable and has cast a gloom over the entire community that will take some time to efface it from the minds of our citizens.
Return to Lowell History
Return to World War I
Return to Biographies