Rick Young

The paternal side of our family made a beeline from Sweden to Hamilton County circa 1850s. So, six generations later, some of us have moved a whole 10 miles.

On the maternal side, mom’s ancestors took a 100 years to get here via Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Arkansas, landing in north central Missouri circa 1880. Many remain there.

Mom’s parents moved to new opportunities in Hamilton County in 1920.

In 1972, my parents, along with Mom’s parents, returned to California, Missouri, to research family history.

Upon visiting Mom’s paternal grandparents’ graves, she noticed immediately that they passed on the same day. This prompted her to visit the county library where she learned of the terrible tragedy that had unfolded.

A traveling Chicken Equipment salesman had stopped to show his wares for sale. This fueled the jealousy in my great-grandfather and an argument ensued. Seeing that it wasn’t going to end well, my great-grandmother sent a son to the neighbors for help.

The other child remaining, a daughter, was sent to the mailbox so as not to witness what she believed was about to happen.

The daughter returned in time to witness her father shooting her mom, then turning the gun on himself.

The daughter always carried a scowl when visiting us in later years.

None of us knew why.

Not until Christmas 2013.

Mom brought a worn out satchel that day and gave it to me. A few days later, I took time to read through all the family history she had kept. Among it were the newspaper clippings covering that horrific day.

How could that be? A six-generations Hamilton County family of god-fearing Christians (well mostly) marked by a suicidal murderer?

I sought input from both brothers prior to releasing the story for the magazine you’ll find with today’s Daily Freeman-Journal. They both agreed it’s a story that should be told and they shared instances of suicidal friends.

For the record, my late Dad would not approve of sharing such family history.

I think Mom would support it.

It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it, for 2 reasons.

One: The sad way my ancestors died, and two: That this anglo saxon society we live in has done very little to support mental illness over the last 2,000 years.

Every year, with great passion, we support cancer victims and survivors, which is a wonderful show of community support. Yet for those with that untold look and story, very little is done to help.

It’s safe to say there is at least one known unsuccessful suicide attempt every month in this county and there will be more.

So please, if you are reading this and are having a “no-good, very bad day” know that there is confidential help as close as dialing 988. A caring person will help you.

And there is access to help right here in Hamilton County. Hamilton County Public Health is there for you.

And, there are hundreds of others here in your community who give a damn about you.

Rick Young is chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors.