Rieben, Gelgian c1813 - 1897

RIEBEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/24/2020 at 09:11:54

Source: Decorah Republican Jan. 21, 1897 P 3 C 3

Takes His Own Life.
New Hampton Courier:—Last Monday afternoon this community was shocked by the report of the death of Gelgian Rieben by his own hand. His home was visited by the sheriff and others immediately and the story was verified. The deceased was 84 years of age and lived alone about a half a mile west of town, but was kindly cared for and looked after by his son, Gotlieb Rieben and his family, one of the girls having been there shortly before the commission of the rash act. He was in good health and had means sufficient to insure good care even among strangers, and with the loving care of his son and family it is a mystery how he came to take his life, and can be accounted for only on the ground of temporary insanity. The sheriff notified the coroner, Dr. Johnston, who came and called a jury and the verdict was according to the facts as herein stated. “Deceased came to his death from a gun shot wound inflicted by himself while temporarily insane.”