Peter Klein 1858-1915

KLEIN, BELLHARZ

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/20/2010 at 21:45:42

Peter Klein Commits Suicide
Despondency Over Ill Health is the Supposed Cause for His Rash Deed

Drank Some Carbolic Acid
Funeral Services Were Held Sunday Afternoon Conducted by Rev. Hurd, His Former Pastor

Thursday [May 13, 1915 – date on stone] morning it was reported that Peter Klein, a well to do farmer living southwest of this city, had committed suicide during the night. This was a great shock to the community. Although he was not enjoying good health it was not thought that he was mentally deranged. He was an honest hard working man and had many friends in and surrounding Estherville. He was injured in a runaway several years ago and had never fully recovered from the accident. He was formerly a member of the Estherville school board.

Rev. Hurd, his former pastor, was here to assist in the last sad rites. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, May 19, 1915)

An Old Citizen Called to Rest
Peter Kline [Klein] Takes His Own Life While Temporarily Deranged
Had Been Ill For Some Time
Deceased Was An Old Resident of Emmet County, and Had a Host of Friends

The community was compelled to withstand a sudden shock on last Friday [May 14, 1915] morning when it was learned that Peter Kline, an old resident of the county, living southwest of the city, had taken his own life by the use of carbolic acid some time after midnight. It was said that death followed soon after the taking of the deadly poison. Mr. Kline had not been in the best physical or mental condition of late, and it is said he has had sinking spells since the injury he received some two years ago in a runaway near the Lincoln street bridge. Of late he has been noticeably worse and has at times threatened to take his life.

Mr. Kline was born in Bovier, Germany, on November 10, 1858. When he was about twenty ears of age he came to this country and settled in Iowa Falls, where he still has relatives. On July 12, 1889, he was united in marriage to Barbara Bellharz, and to this union there were nine children born, six boys and three girls, of whom eight are still living. Of those only Geo. Kline is married, the remainder of the children are still residing in the parental home. In Germany, Mr. Kline was a member of the German Lutheran church, but in 1910 he united with the Christian church. He was also a member of the M.W.A. lodge, and of Royal Neighbors. The funeral services were held on Sunday, the Rev. Hurd officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Oak Hill cemetery.

There remains to mourn the death of a husband and father, the wife and six sons, George, Andrew, Henry, Otto, Ray and Harvey, and two daughters, Laura and Ethel. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, May 19, 1915)