THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, April 23, 1931

Joe Malphurs, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Malphurs, residents of the St. Johns Park section of the county is believed to have committed suicide about 10:45 o'clock Tuesday evening at his home near that of his father. The dead man's wife and child were not at the home, having gone to visit her parents a few days previously. He was killed by receiving a load from a shotgun in his head.

Sheriff J. H. McKnight said today that he went to the house after being notified here, and after an investigation it was apparent to him that it "was a plain case of suicide." The sheriff also stated that a note was found apparently for the dead man's wife. The note, McKnight said, stated that "if we have to part this is the only way." The note also directed the wife to dispose of some property and to take care of an only child, a girl about 2 years of age, the sheriff said.

The deceased had left the home of his father but a short time before relatives living nearby heard a shot at the dead man's home and went to investigate, they finding him lying dead in his bedroom with a shotgun nearby.

The deceased was born and reared in this section of Florida, living on his own farm near that of his father, and was held in high esteem by his friends.

The body was taken in charge by Davis undertaking establishment of Palatka after Coroner W. Lee Bartlet had started an investigation.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, interment being in the family plot in the Espanola Cemetery. Rev. John B. Culpepper, Sr., assistant pastor of the Methodist charge here had charge of the burial service.