Sam William Stam 1909-1951

STAM, HOFFMEYER, FOX

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/27/2010 at 22:37:26

Sam Stam, 41, Takes His Own Life
Had Been in Poor Health
Sam William Stam, 41, took his own life by hanging this morning at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Stam, northeast of Estherville.

His body was discovered about 8:30 suspended from the track in the top of the hay barn, according to Sheriff Emlet Twito, who with Justice of the Peace M. H. Schloeman, made an official investigation this morning. Twito said it appeared evident that Stam had climbed steps to a platform extending up to the track and jumped off the platform. Twito estimated the body fell from 12 to 14 feet.

Twito and Schloeman said members of the family had said that Stam, single, had been in ill health and that he was to have gone to Armstrong fro consultation with a physician there this morning. The body was discovered by a brother-in-law who had come to the Stam farm and asked for Sam. The brother-in-law went to the barn to look for him and discovered the body, the sheriff reported. The morning chores had been completed by Sam.

Dr. L. E. Collins of Estherville was called by the family and he later called Twito after going to the Stam home.

Sam William Stam was born May 16, 1909, and lived near Ledyard until he was 17 when his parents moved to Emmet county. They farmed first near Huntington and later at the present farm northeast of Estherville.

He was a member of the Gruver Presbyterian church.

Survivors include his parents, one brother, Tony Stam of Estherville; and four sisters, Mrs. Earl Hoffmeyer of Armstrong, Mrs. Floyd Hoffmeyer of Jackson, Mrs. Richard Hoffmeyer of Dunnell and Mrs. Lynn Fox of Estherville.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, April 18, 1951)