Johnson, Ole B. died 1897

JOHNSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/10/2020 at 18:52:44

Elkader Register, Fri. morning, 23 July 1897. Local Scrap Bag column.

Ole B. Johnson, a well known resident of Wagner twp., committed suicide Thursday evening last. He went to his bed and shot himself with his shot gun, death ensuing almost instantly. The charge entered near the eye and lodged in the back of his head. He had been drinking heavily of late and this was probably the cause of his insane act.

Coroner Scholz came up from Guttenberg Friday and after examination the jury consisting of M. Reagan, Ole Johnson, Sr., and Tor. Torkelson, rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts. Mr. Johnson leaves a wife but no children. The funeral was held Saturday.

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Added by Joy Moore 12/10/2020:

Source: Decorah Republican July 22, 1897 P 3 C 2

Intemperate and Tired of Life.
Elkader, Ia., July 16.—Ole Johnson aged 54 years, a native of Norway and for over thirty years a resident of Wagner township eight miles from Elkader committed suicide last night by blowing his brains out with a load of shot fired from a shot gun. The suicide occurred in his own home and was deliberately done, the trigger of the gun having been pulled by his toe. He was in easy circumstances and had no children. Intemperance and tired of life is supposed to have been the cause of his act.