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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 20, 1933, page 1

COMMITS SUICIDE WITH A SHOT GUN

     Matt Wiidanen, farmer of the Centerville section, committed suicide at his ranch three miles northeast of Centerville, Wash., about 7:30 Tuesday morning by shooting himself in the head with a double-barreled shotgun. Shortly before the shooting he had been talking with Mark and Avon Kayser and arranged for them to do some work for him later that day. He sent his hired man, Charles Anderson, away from the house to work on a windmill, leaving himself alone at the house. When Anderson returned he discovered Wiidanen's body and immediately called Sheriff Lyle Winters and Prosecuting Attorney F.A. Smith, who declared is was clearly a case of suicide.
     Wiidanen had tied a small loop of rope to the trigger of the gun, then had removed his shoe and pushed his toe through the loop, in that way firing the gun, which he had pointed to his head. He was unmarried and World war veteran.
     Funeral services will be held today at 3:30 p.m. at the Chapman Chapel under the auspices of the American Legion. Burial will be in the Legion plot in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.


The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 20, 1933, page 5

MATTHEW A. WIIDANEN

     Matthew A. Wiidanen was born June 18, 1894, and was raised on a farm near Centerville. He was a World War veteran, serving three years in the navy. On his return home he continued farming until his death on July 18, 1933.
     He leaves to mourn his loss his mother, Mrs. Amanda Wiidanen, two brothers, Charles and Peter, of Centerville, and four sisters, Mrs. Charles Bayman, Canyonville, Oregon; Mrs. Melvin Fielding, Sherwood, Oregon; Mrs. Frank Barney, Seattle, and Mrs. Avon Kayser, Centerville, besides a host of relatives and friends.
     He was a member of Louis Leidl Post No. 116, American Legion, K. of P. lodge and D.O.K.K.
     Funeral services were held in Goldendale, July 20th, under the auspices of the American Legion, interment following in the Legion plot. Rev. H.P. Andrews officiated at the funeral services.


The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., July 21, 1933, paeg 4
"Late Klickitat County News Of Interest"

     Shooting himself in the head with a shotgun, Matt Wiidanen, about 40, a World War veteran, committed suicide July 18, as his ranch three miles northeast of Centerville. He was unmarried. Sheriff Lyle Winters and Prosecuting Attorney F.A. Smith investigated and pronounced it a clear case of suicide. Wiidanen had been drinking heavily for some time and was believed to have been in an aggravated nervous condition. Funeral services were held from the Chapman Chapel in Goldendale on Thursday, July 20, with interment in the Odd Fellows cemetery.


The Hood River News, Hood River, OR., August 4, 1933, page 7

SHOTGUN IS USED IN ENDING LIFE
Hired Man Sent To Work On Windmill When Centerville Farmer Decides On Fatal Move

     Matt Wiidanen, a farmer of the Centerville section, committed suicide at his ranch three miles northeast of Centerville, Wash., at about 7:30 Tuesday morning, July 18, by shooting himself in the head with a double-barreled shotgun, according to the Goldendale Sentinel.
     Shortly before the shooting, Wiidanen had been talking with Mark and Avon Kayser and arranged for them to do some work for him later that day. He sent his hired man, Charles Anderson, away from the house to work on a windmill, leaving himself alone at the house.
     When Anderson returned, he discovered Wiidanen's body and immediately called Sheriff Lyle Winters and Prosecuting Attorney F.A. Smith, who declared the case was clearly one of suicide.
     Wiidanen had tied a small loop of rope to the trigger of the gun, then had removed his shoe and pushed his toe through the loop. In that way he fired the gun into his head.
     Wiidanen was unmarried. He was a World war veteran. Funeral services were held Friday at 3:30 at the Chapman chapel under the auspices of the American Legion. The burial was in the Legion plot in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

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