Kahmann, Otto R. 1856 - 1905

KAHMANN

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

Elkader Register, Thur. 23 Nov. 1905.

The Clayton County Journal of the 17th gives the following particulars of the sudden death of Otto R. Kahmann, a traveling medicine man at Guttenberg last Thursday night. It appears that he had nearly $12,000 in money and medicine with him and that very little, if any, is known about him or his family. Mayor Scholz and others were here Saturday and Gus Bentel was appointed administrator of the dead man's estate.

The Journal says Otto R. Kahmann and W. C. Heynacher two traveling bachelor druggists and vendors of St. Peter's Oil, salves and medical teas, came from Lansing yesterday afternoon and stopped at the St. Clair House. Mr. Kahmann has been afflicted with asthma and deceased (diseased ??) heart for a number of years.

The hotel people had retired for the night. A little before eleven o'clock his moaning attracted the attention of his companion in another room, who came to his assistance and found that the immediate services of a doctor were needed. When Dr. W. L. Duffin arrived he found that medical assistance was unavailing and the man soon expired of heart failure. The body was taken to Coroner Beerman's place, where an inquest will be held this afternoon.

The deceased was born at Ragnitz, Prussia, Jan. 27, 1856, and came to America in 1884. He was a blonde, well proportioned man of pleasant address. He made his business calls annually of late and semi-annually in former years. The remains will be interred in the city cemetery.

(Note: See the O. R. Kahmann entry on the IGPP, in Guttenberg City cemetery.)