Ed Hoskinson Leaves Note Indicating Suicide
The mystery surrounding the death of Ed Hoskinson, middle-aged trapper and dam keeper, was cleared up when a group of men from Medical Springs visited the lonely cabin, eight miles from Medical springs, on Catherine Creek, where they found the body and a note, giving the date of the suicide and saying “good-bye to all.” The note explained that he had been ill since January 18 and was dated February 20. At the end of the short note he asked that his body be taken to Baker for burial.
Coroner F.L. Ralston decided that no inquest was necessary. According to the coroner Hoskinson shot himself on February 20, with a 30-30 rifle the bullet entering the head at the right lower jaw, blowing the entire right side of his head off. Friend of the dead man say he was sick when he left Medical Springs to go to his cabin, and they urged him not to go at the time.
The dead man was about 60 years old, left no relatives so far as known. He left some property in Baker, it is said.
On account of the bad weather and almost impassable roads, from la Grande to the cabin, the body was taken on a sled, and the men making the trip were compelled to wear snow-shoes.
North Powder News
Saturday, March 5, 1927
