George Schmich 1867-1908

SCHMICH, BERGER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 6/13/2010 at 18:43:21

The Carroll Times
Carroll, Iowa
17 Sep 1908
Page 5

Death By His Own Hand

Ex-Sheriff Schmich Shot Himself Yesterday Noon -- Periodically Irresponsible Mentally -- Funeral Tomorrow Morning.

A tragedy such as our city has not witnessed for some time took place yesterday at the noon hour. Ex-Sheriff George Schmich who lately was at work with Theo. Kruse's threshing crew, committed suicide at his home in the third ward as a culmination of a long period of mental depression.

He had come home Saturday evening from his week's work and evidently had one of his periodical "spells" of mental aberration during which he grew morose, irritable, suspicious and regarded everyone as his enemy. At prior times during such attacks he seems to have gone "gunning" for imaginary foes. At such times he would take to drinking and later would end up with a period of brighter spirits and conciliatory disposition.

The attack Monday seemed one of his worst. His suspicions and dislikes extended towards Mr. Kruse, his employer, relatives and friends. Self destruction was hinted at as a means to get himself "out of the way" of those who he imagined were his persecutors. He seems to have started for the scenes of his labor Monday, but returned later and had not improved. He met acquaintances who could observe nothing irrational, and again would become clearly oblivious of what was going on. Yesterday forenoon he was observed sitting for an hour or more with a newspaper before him, but he was not reading, just staring vacantly at the paper. He came home about 11:30, entered the kitchen, passed through the dining room, into the sitting room and later entered the bedroom. His son Will saw him open the writing desk and write something, later he went into the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and stared. Mrs. Schmich called at the then closed door that dinner was ready and went after a pail of water. Will heard a shot while his mother was out and rushing in found his father lying face upwards across the bed, with a revolver resting on his arm. Dr. Kessler was called, but the bullet from a 32-calibre revolver had entered his right temple back of and above the eye and death must have been instantaneous. The note in his hand writing, unsigned, but unmistakably in his hand writing stated, "This came about through my relations." This is but a corroboration of the dead man's unsettled mind. Every relative sought to help him and to set his mind at rest as to any ill will on their part, but while perhaps temporarily soothed he would start on a new period of brooding over imagined wrongs. His loving wife and children who suffered the limit of human endurance during his spells of mental depression and moroseness, sought in every way to make home pleasant and attractive and get him to look on the brighter side of life. Their fears of something dreadful to happen proved but too well founded.

The coroners inquest brought out the evidence as above related and showed that dating back to the latter part of his last term as sheriff, almost three years ago, the dead man was not "himself" at times.

Departed carried life insurance of $2,000 in the Banker's Life, Des Moines, and $2,000 in the C. O. F. This with property owned in this city places the family above want.

The jury, J. N. Traner, Wm. Wineke and Chas. H. Rafferty, brought in a verdict that deceased "came to his death from a gunshot wound, self inflicted while insane."

The funeral will take place at 9:30 o'clock tomorrow (Friday) from SS. Peter and Paul's church. We'll give further obituary notice in our next issue.

The Carroll Times
Carroll, Iowa
24 Sep 1908
Page 1

Funeral of George Schmich Friday Forenoon

The funeral of George Schmich occurred from SS. Peter and Paul's church at 9 o'clock Friday forenoon, attended by large numbers of friends who deeply sympathized with the bereaved family in their dark hour of unconsolable grief. The remains were laid to rest in the parish cemetery where those of his father reposed in their last long sleep. Relatives from a distance present were Mrs. John Beyerschmidt and Mrs. Jack Kane, aunts of Mrs. Geo. Schmich, both of Fairbanks, Iowa.

George Schmich, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Schmich, was born near Freeport, Ill., 41 years ago last February. He came to this country with his parents in 1877 and made his home on the farm while attending the common schools in winter. He was married to Miss Mary Berger, May 6, 1890, and to them were born six children who with their mother survive as follows: Will, Anna, Albert, Florence, Catharine and Lorena. There also survive his mother, Mrs. Louisa Schmich, his sister, Mrs. Albert Copp and his brothers, Chas., Frank, Ed and Wm. Schmich, all of this vicinity.

The departed served this city for many years as night marshal and gave such good satisfaction that when he was elected sheriff later the citizens as well as council universally regretted the change and expressed their doubt of being able to get anyone who would be able to fill the place as efficiently as he had. In the sheriff's office, which he held for five years, he proved an officer who ranked high in ability and efficiency and was regarded as one of the best in the line of able predecessors. Since retiring from office a year ago last January, he conducted a saloon for over a year, but sold out last June and of late had been employed with The. Kruse on the threshing crew.

George Schmich was a loyal, patriotic, law abiding citizen. His misfortune threw a blight over his life and shortened his days. His frailties were human and when his intellect became clouded his conduct was not to be judged by standards applied to rational beings. When in his right mind he was at heart a kind man. He loved wife and children, was a good provider for his family, and a staunch friend to those in need who readily would do any one a favor and give his last nickel to help a good cause. There are many of those living amongst us who gratefully remember his kindly assistance, rendered to them where others, better able, failed them. It is the good deeds that secure for man the boundless mercy that flows from the throne of grace. "The Son giveth life to whom He will." He knows the secrets of the great drama of life and it is for sinful creatures to merit clemency for their own sins by interceding for him who has just gone before his Judge. "Enter not into the judgment with Thy servant, O Lord! for in Thy sight shall no man be justified, unless through Thee the remission of all his sins be granted unto him." We are walking in the valley beyond which lies eternity. "Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Each departure of a friend furnishes new food for reflecting that "Man's days are as grass" and that we may next answer the call which means eternal night or everlasting day.

To the widow and children whom a tragedy too mysterious and deep for human scrutiny has left desolate, we pour out our words of human sympathy and trust that their sad hearts may find consolation in Him Who assured us, "He that believeth in me, although he be dead shall live; and every one that liveth and believeth in me shall not die forever."