HEMER, Leonard - died 1875

HEMER, BLIM

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 1/3/2020 at 15:01:36

The Waterloo Suicide

The Waterloo Courier of Wednesday gives full particulars of the suicide of Leonard Hemer, a brief account of which appeared in THE TIMES of day before yesterday.

Hemer was 30 years of age, a carpenter by trade, and has resided at Waterloo since July, 1861. He was a man of good habits and bore an excellent reputation in the community.

On the morning of the day on which the act was committed Hemer went to several parties and inquired whether there was any law by which his home could be protected from insult, and stating that four men visited his home the night previous, and although ordered to leave refused to do so. It seems that his domestic affairs had been quite unpleasant in their nature for some time.

Last July he commenced the preparations of a statement of his difficulties, which was added to from time to time as the annoying circumstances transpired. This statement was given to a Mr. Blim, who still has it in his possession. The statement gives all the facts connected with the matter in detail, with names, dates, etc.

The suicide was committed with a large revolver. It seems probable that he stood before a small mirror when he committed the act. The ball struck near the top of the right side of the skull, followed along the surface of the skull for an inch or two, entered near the division over the ear and passing out near the center, went through an inch board and lodged in the siding of the house. Death ensued in a few minutes.

SOURCE: Dubuque Daily Times, Friday, Dec 31, 1875, Dubuque, IA, Page: 7