Dietrich, Peter 1840-1907

DIETRICH, BEHRENS, KIRCHER, SCHOLZ

Posted By: Ken Johnson (email)
Date: 6/10/2017 at 23:39:40

Thurs., 6 June 1907 issue, Elkader Register, Elkport and Vicinity section, page 6, columns 1-2:

Our little town was startled last Thursday noon when the news was scattered that one of our pioneer citizens Peter Dietrich, had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head causing a serious wound, which resulted in his death about one hour later. Mr. Dietrich has been quite sick for a long time and on last Thursday sent his wife for medicine and while alone possibly got one of those spells of almost unbearable pain and committed the deed. Our town loses a good and honorable citizen and a good friend and neighbor. He leaves a heart-broken widow, three nephews Jos., Peter and Chas. Kircher, and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Henry Behrens, and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Jos. Kircher. He was born in Lundenberg, Bavaria, on July 4th, 1840, and was married May 4th, 1868. With his wife he came to this country in 1870 where he has made his home ever since. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge here and was buried in Mt. Harmony cemetery under the auspices of this lodge last Saturday. The funeral was largely attended and Chas. Scholz, of Guttenberg, delivered a splendid tribute to the departed.

CARD OF THANKS.

To the I. O. O. F. lodge and to the Rebekah lodge of this town and to visiting brothers and sisters, my most sincere thanks, also to all kind friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness during the sad illness and death of my beloved husband, Peter Dietrich.

Rosa Dietrich.

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Thurs., 6 June 1907 issue, Elkader Register, Elkport and Vicinity section, page 6, column 1:

Pete Kircher, of Dubuque, and Joe Kircher of Lamont, were called here on account of the death of Peter Dietrich.

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Fri., 7 June 1907 issue, Clayton County Journal (Guttenberg, IA), page 5, column 4:

Peter Dietrich, aged 64 years, a prominent citizen of Elkport, shot himself through the head Thursday afternoon of last week. Ill health was the cause. He was for many years a tailor and of late years a bridge and road builder. He was also for many years constable and town marshal. He leaves a wife and adopted daughter in fair circumstances. The funeral was held Saturday conducted by the Odd Fellows.

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Fri., 7 June 1907 issue, Guttenberg Press, page 1, column 1:

LIFE’S TROUBLES ENDED

ELKPORT MAN COMMITS SUICIDE BY SHOOTING

ILL HEALTH CAUSE OF DEED

Peter Dietrich Brings to Close Last Chapter in Life at His Home on Memorial Day Afternoon

Peter Dietrich, aged about 64 years, suicided at his home in Elkport shortly after 1:00 o’clock on Memorial day afternoon by shooting, the ball entering the right side of his head just above the temple and lodged in the opposite side of the head near the left eye. People in nearby buildings who heard the shot rushed into his residence to ascertain what had occurred found him sitting in a chair, still alive and the revolver, which he had used to take his life on the floor between his feet where it had dropped form his hand. A physician was summoned, but could do nothing for the man’s condition and could express no hopes for his recovery. He lingered for about an hour in a semi-conscious condition and then passed away.

It is reported that Dietrich was and had been perfectly sane and that the act was not committed on account of any mental derangement. He had been a constant sufferer for years from asthma and from which he could get no relief. He had repeatedly asserted to friends that he would some time do away with himself, saying that the only reason for not doing so at once was on account of his wife.

Dietrich was a stone mason by trade, but had not followed the vocation the past few years. He had loaned to neighbors a number of his stone mason tools and during the forenoon previous to killing himself he wrote down on a piece of paper the names of those and the tools they had borrowed and gave the list to his wife that she might cause their return. This fact together with the man’s conduct otherwise was sufficient evidence that the deed was premeditated, but those aware of this thought as on previous occasions that he would not make good his intentions.

Dietrich was an old resident of Elkport and was well thought of. He is survived by his wife and an adopted daughter.