Best, Wilhelmina 1856 - 1913

BEST, DIERS, HUEBNER, LEMBKE

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 1 May 1913. Read column.

This community was shocked last Friday morning when it became known that Mrs. Best, wife of Wm. Best, aged 58 years, had committed suicide. Evidently she had premeditated the act. for she left her sleeping apartments during the early hours of morning, unnoticed by her husband, who, still being in a peaceful slumber, was unaware of his wife leaving the house. Upon rising he went about his morning labors as usual, entirely unsuspicious of the awful tragedy that had already been perpetrated, his idea being that his wife had gone in search of a cow, that had strayed away the previous evening and had not yet returned. Moreover, the evening before he had noticed nothing unusual in her demeanor. But as the hours of morning gradually passed away and his wife failed to return Mr. Best became alarmed and consequently began search. At about 10:30 he was horrified to find her on a litter of straw, in a barn on the lots adjoining his premises, already rigid in death, with the deadly instrument beside her. He was entirely prostrated with grief at the discovery.

Nothing is known as to what might have driven the deceased to such a rash deed. Her family relations were most pleasant and much of her time was spent with her children and to them she would render herself both useful and agreeable and her motherly affection was reciprocated by them to the fullest extent. About ten years ago she had a temporary attack of mental depression, from which she recovered, but during the last years of her life she again suffered occasional spells of despondency.

In the spring of 1912 Mr. and Mrs. Best purchased a comfortable home here in town, to enjoy the remainder of their life in well-earned rest. Many years of quiet pleasures and uninterrupted tranquility might yet have been theirs, but fate had decreed it differently.

The deceased was born February 19, 1856, in Pommern, Germany, and soon came to America. The greater part of her life she lived with her family on the farm in Read township. She was married in 1876 to Mr. Wm. Best and is survived by six children: Mrs. Henry Diers, Mrs. Emma Huebner, Mrs. Wm. Lembke and Hattie; also by her two sons, Chas. and Emil, and one sister and three brothers.

She was held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and her tragic death caused genuine sorrow. She lived a truly Christian life and her memory will be held in veneration. The burial took place Monday, attended largely by sorrowing friends and relatives, Rev. Burkhard officiating and interment was made in the new cemetery.

(Note: WPA records show Wilhelmina Best, 1856 - 25 Apr. 1913, as buried in Clayton Center cemetery in Read Township.)