Schmidt, Albert 1880 - 1915

SCHMIDT, WHETSTONE, WOLF, EASTON, CONNOR

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/6/2022 at 16:19:15

Register and Argus, 21 Oct. 1915. Strawberry Point column.

Albert Schmidt, the auctioneer, committed suicide Saturday morning, by hanging himself in the hay loft, at his home on the Geo, Wheeler place south of the fair grounds. He left the house about 8:30 in the morning and his boy found his body in the barn, between 9:30 and 10:00 o'clock. After going to the barn Schmidt fastened all the doors on the inside. He then took the hay rope and fastened each end to posts about twenty feet apart, making a sort of a swing. He then got onto a pile of hay, wrapped the rope twice around his neck and slid off the hay. Death resulted from strangling as his neck was not broken. Some five or six weeks ago he suffered a nervous breakdown and partially lost his mind for a short time. He recovered, however, and went about his work as usual, although he seemed to be very despondent. The only apparent cause for his mental trouble was worrying over crop conditions. Albert Schmidt was born in Lodomillo township, October 1, 1880, and lived on the farm where he was born until about three years ago, when he moved to town. On December 25, 1900, he was united in marriage to Mae Whetstone. To this union three children were born, one dying in infancy. The other two, a boy thirteen years old and a girl seven, survive him. Besides his wife and children he leaves to mourn his loss three brothers and three sisters: Fred F., living in Lodomillo township; Chas., of Seward, Okla.; J. G., of Strawberry Point; Mrs. Jacob Wolf, of Vienna, S.D.; Mrs. Chas. Easton, of Lodomillo and Mrs. Frank Connor, of Strawberry Point. All were present at the funeral except Mrs. Wolf. The funeral services were held at the home, Tuesday afternoon, in charge of the I.O.O.F. lodge. Rev. Bailey, of the Baptist church, addressed a few words of comfort to relatives and friends. Interment took place in the Strawberry Point cemetery.