Smithkamp, John c1877 - 1900

SMITHKAMP, MEISSEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/18/2020 at 16:04:50

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 11, 1900 P 4 C 4

Suicide in Chickasaw Co.
New Hampton Gazette:—Highland, Oct. 2.—The people of this community were surprised to hear of the suicide of John Smithkamp, a nephew of John Meissen, at the latter's home south of here at about 7 o’clock last Thursday evening. The suicide was a healthy, muscular looking young man of about 23 years. He had not been feeling well for several days and complained of a pain in the head .On the day of his death he had consulted a New Hampton physician who gave him medicine and advice. Shortly after arriving home he retired for the night and Mrs. Meissen who was also with him in the house at the time, was soon startled by a revolver report, and hurrying to his chamber found him breathing his last, blood flowing freely from a spot directly over the heart, and a 32 caliber revolver lying by his side showed the instrument and means of his death. The coroner’s jury which sat early the next morning returned a verdict of “Death caused by a bullet wound inflicted by himself.”
No reason other than the pain complained of can be given. At the most this was a very deliberately planned and executed act.