Bahlke, Henry died 1894

BAHLKE

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/28/2011 at 20:27:25

Thursday evening a stranger, a young man who had been noticed in this city for several days previous, purchased a ticket from Operator Lynch for Postville. He said he wanted to go to Luana but, as the flier did not stop there, he had to get off at the nearest adjoining station. During the night, after the train had passed Castalia, word was received at the Milwaukee depot that he had committed suicide on the train just before it had reached that place, by shooting himself through the head. As no one knew him here, no staisfactory reply could be given to the enquiries at the other end and there was no paper of any kind about his person that would identify him. The remains were taken to Postville to await identification. After some inquiry, it was learned that his home was near Elkader and that his name was Henry Bahlke. He was a well-to-do farmer and no reason is given for the rash act except that he has a brother in the insane asylum at Independence. His mind was perhaps deranged. Of course it is not known how or why he came here.

~Democrat, Emmetsburg, Iowa, Jan 31, 1894

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Added by Reid R. Johnson, 2/9/2022:

Elkader Register, Thur., 1 Feb. 1894.

Saturday word was received here that an unknown man, while on the train on the Milwaukee Road coming east last Friday evening, between Castalia and Postville, had suddenly drawn a revolver and killed himself. The body was taken from the train at Postville and an effort made to identify him.

This effort resulted in finding the victim was a young man named Henry Baalke, son of Widow Baalke, of Clayton Centre. Last Monday Henry left home for Emmettsburg, where he had friends, and where he thought to locate. He had about $100. when he started, and about $79. was found on his person, showing that he had expended but little beyond paying for his tickets out and return.

He was about 25 years of age and although having a brother at Independence it was not thought he was afflicted, yet we are told that at times he acted queer, and when aroused was very passionate. There is every reason to believe that his rash act was that of a diseased mind, as, being in comfortable circumstances, there could be no other reason.

The funeral took place at Clayton Centre on Sunday last, attended by the friends of the unfortunate young man.

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Gravestone = BAHLKE
Son of John & Wilhelmina