Herman Berdahl, 1877-1911

BERDAHL

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/21/2009 at 07:18:23

TAKES HIS OWN LIFE

Herman Berdahl Committed Suicide Sunday Morning.

WAS BORN AND RAISED IN COUNTY

Had Always Been a Hard Working Conscientious Citizen--His Tragic Death Shock To All.

Herman Berdahl committed suicide at the home of his sister, Mrs. Ed Ryggs, in this city Sunday morning about 10:15. It appears that Mr. Berdahl had come to town Saturday night and after a short time spent up town as usual he went to the home of his sister, as was his custom, and retired. He arose about six o'clock Sunday morning. Later, about eight o'clock he went back to bed again. Shortly after 9 o'clock he came down stairs again. When the family ate breakfast, Mr. Berdahl said he did not care for any. He sat around as was his usual custom. Then about 10 o’clock he said he thought he would go up to bed again, went to his coat which was hanging down stairs and took out a loaded shell which was in his pocket and took it upstairs with him. He appeared natural as ever and talked and joked as usual all morning. His sister did not like to have him go without his breakfast and said she would go up stairs and get him to come down and eat something. She had hardly started when there was a gun discharge overhead. Upon immediate investigation the family found him on the floor with his shotgun beside him and blood flowing from the left side of his head. It seems had put the barrel of his ten gauge shotgun against his head just in front and above his left ear, and pulled the trigger. The discharge did terrible injury causing instant death. No cause for the shooting is known. Berdahl never acted despondent, and the family and his many friends are unable to count for his rash deed. At the request of the family a coroner's inquest held and the verdict of the jury after a careful investigation was that he came to his death by his own hand.

Funeral services were held from Norwegian church yesterday and burial made in East Side cemetery.

John Herman Berdahl was born in this county northeast of Estherville, August 7, 1877. Practically all his life has been spent in this county. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Berdahl, moved from here to Sherburn some time ago. Herman has been engaged in the contract tile work, and has been meeting with the best success. He was a hard working young man. Has never been married and when at work made his home in this city with his sister, Mrs. Ryggs, on north Ninth street. Mr. Berdahl had many friends who are grieved to learn of his untimely death and hasten to extend sympathy to the grief stricken parents and brothers and sisters. The deceased left tow brothers, Ole and Martin, and six sisters, Mrs. Peter Peterson, Mrs. Fred Kruse, Mrs. Ed Ryggs and Misses Emma Jeddie and Jessie Berdahl.

Source: Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; August 16, 1911.