Albin Reich 1897-1918

REICH, KLINE, APPLE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/29/2010 at 23:35:52

Albion Reich Committed Suicide This Morning
Tragedy Happened at Home of Brother-in-law, George Kline
Used a Shot Gun for Deed
Went to Kline Home This Morning With His Sister – Shot Through the Heart

Albion Reich, of this city committed suicide this morning at the home of his brother-in-law, George Kline, who lives four and one-half miles southwest of this city. Mr. Reich had gone to the Kline home this morning in company with a sister to secure some furniture which he kept at the farm as he was in the habit of spending a part of his time there. After getting the furniture in shape he asked his sister to get him some stationary as he wished to write a letter to a sister who lives in the west. He wrote three letters, one to the sister, one to his father in this city and one to his sweetheart whom he was soon to marry.

Upon completing the writing he asked if there was some hot water to put in the car and was informed that there was none. He said he guessed he would go hunting a few minutes while the water was heating. Nothing was thought of this as he was a great hunter and seldom visited the farm without shooting a few rabbits. He took the shot gun and started out. In a short time a report was heard and relatives in the house remarked that he must have shot something close to the buildings. The sister noticed the hogs running wildly out of the hog house and stepped to the door and called to him. Upon receiving no answer she asked Mr. Kline to go to the hog house and see if anything was wrong.

Upon going to the hog house, Mr. Kline found him in a crouching position in one corner of the building. It looked as though he had stood against the wall and held the shot gun tightly against his body just over the heart. Death was instantaneous and the body had slid into the crouching position in which it was found. Coroner Wilson of this city was notified at once and went to the scene of the tragedy. At this time he has not made his report.

Mr. Reich was the son of Mr. and Mrs. August Reich who live on north Sixth street. No reason is known by relatives for the rash act, although since it happened it has come to mind that he had been unusually quiet for the past few weeks and it is now thought that he had been contemplating the act for some time. The family have the sympathy of the entire community in this hour of bereavement. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 6, 1918)

Reich Funeral Service Held Saturday Afternoon
Funeral services for Albion Reich, the unfortunate young man who committed suicide last Wednesday, were held from the Mahlum & Anderson undertaking parlors last Saturday afternoon. The body was taken to that place immediately after the tragedy and was viewed by his many friends in this community. Short services were held at the home of his parents and the services were then transferred to the undertaking parlors. Burial was made in Oak Hill cemetery.

Mr. Reich was born in Emmet county near Wallingford, on April 20th, 1897, being at the time of his death, almost twenty-one years of age. Those who survive him are the father and mother, four sisters, Mrs. George Kline, Mrs. John Apple, Misses Amelia and Elsie, and two brothers, Wm. And Ernest Reich, of this city. The young man was to have been married on February 20. The grief stricken family have the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 13, 1918)