Eder, Fred 1892 - 1916

EDER, MULLER, OTTERBECK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 11:58:40

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 7 Sept. 1916. Strawberry Point column.

Fred, son of John Eder, of this place, who was employed on the Bert Bush farm about eight miles southwest of this place, committed suicide in an old shed on the Bush farm, Friday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Bush were at the state fair and on their way home they received the sad message. They had left two boys there to assist Mr. Eder with the chores and for company. On Friday morning all three boys got up and went out to milk the cows. After the milking was done Fred made the remark that they could both go to the creamery and he would finish the chores. Of course, nothing was thought of it, and the boys started and that was the last Fred was seen alive. When the boys returned from the creamery Fred was not to be found, so they decided he had come to his father's at this place to attend the fair. Fred did not come back that night and the boys were much alarmed over it, but could not find him. The next morning a farmer passing by noticed that his body was hanging in an old shed and notified the boys. They telephoned to Mr. Eder's father, who arrived there as soon as possible. Owing to the absence of the coroner, T. W. Jenney, Justice of the Peace, took charge of the body. However, before his arrival the rope broke. An examination disclosed that Eder died from strangulation as his neck was not broken. Fred had recently purchased an automobile and for some reason it was thought affected his mind. Fred L. Eder, son of John and Anna Eder, nee Muller, was born in St. Sebald, March 28th, 1892, and was baptized soon after by Rev. Fuehr, and confirmed April 8th, 1906, and died September 1st, 1916, aged 24 years, 5 months and 3 days. His mother preceded him in death a number of years ago. He leaves his father, John Eder, and two sisters, Miss Rose, who is still at home, and Mrs. Gusta Otterbeck, of this place, and one brother, Geo. Eder, of Buffalo, Wyo., to mourn his death. Funeral services were conducted at the home on Monday forenoon by Rev. Rembold, of Lamont. Services were in English, the text being the twenty-sixth Chapter of Isalah, eighth verse. The remains were taken to St. Sebald and laid to rest beside his mother. Our sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones.