Schellhamer, Anna died 1893

SCHELLHAMER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/20/2013 at 16:04:18

Postville Review, Sat., 22 April 1893.

A WATERY DEATH ! A Young Woman Suicides By Drowning In A Cistern !

Our people were shocked yesterday morning by learning that Miss Anna Schellhamer, who was working for Mrs. S. W. Courson, was found in the cistern in the cellar drowned. No cause is known for the rash and unnatural act except temporary insanity, which we believe always must exist when a person takes his or her own life. She retired at night apparently as usual, though she had had some melancholy spells of late, and seemed inclined to be discontented and unhappy. In the morning she did not get up as usual and Mr. Courson called her, but receiving no reply he went up stairs. Her room was vacant, although it bore evidences of having been occupied. On going down stairs he noticed that tthe door leading to the cellar was partly open, and on going down he discovered that the boards covering the cistern were removed, leaving the "man hole" open. He at once called his son Elmer, and Henry Luhman, who, on investigation, found the body in the cistern , life being extinct. Justice Shepherd was notified and he, with others, went to the scene. A jury was empaneled, consisting of J. B. Hart, E. F. Medary and J. Nicolay and witnesses were examined. The verdict was that the deceased came to her death by drowning herself in the cistern. She was about 35 years of age and leaves a brother, Mr. Fred Schellhamer, near Castalia, and some more distant relatives, all of whom have our sympathy in their sudden bereavement.

The funeral occurred today (Friday) and the remains were interred in the German cemetery.

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Submitter is not related.

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