Kaspar Jacobi, d. abt. 3 Oct 1902

JACOBI JACOBY BRAUCH DONALDSON DODD HOLM FURGESON KIME FLANAGAN DORTON

Posted By: Bonnie Grimmius (email)
Date: 1/5/2010 at 22:47:30

The Marengo Republican, Thursday, Oct 9th, 1902
(From "Local news and Personals" column)

Friday Morning in a coal shed in the rear of Fritz Brauch’s saloon was found the lifeless remains of Casper Jacoby. Justice Holm, acting as coroner, appointed a jury and conducted an investigation which resulted in a verdict that death had been caused by an excessive use of liquors and exposure. The funeral was held Saturday and interment made in Calvary Cemetery. Two sons of the deceased, Henry and John, of Keystone being present. At one time Casper Jacoby was a well to do and prosperous farmer near here, surrounded by a large, industrious and happy family, but he commenced drinking to excess and within a few years a separation between husband and wife followed, and since the course for him has been steadily down the stream, to the final and unfortunate ending.

Death of Kaspar Jacobi

Friday morning Kaspar Jacobi was found in the coal shed in the rear of Fritz Brauch's saloon. The circumstances of his death were pathetic; and should start a tear of pity, rather than arouse a word of censure. Kaspar was his own worst enemy. He was naturally, a kindly man, charitable, and well disposed. He allowed drink to become his master, and consequently went down to his grave, unwept by relatives, unsung by those who should have cherished him in life or nourished and attended him in his last sickness. Kaspar's family deserted him because of his habit, and those who know them and him, cannot blame the family.

He was first seen by Clint Donaldson — the position and appearance of the body, showed that he had died peacefully and without a struggle. No marks of violence were found. His two sons who lived at Keystone, in Benton Co., were immediately notified, came, and took charge of the remains, immediately after the inquest. Dr. Dodd was out of the county, and Justice Gustav Holm officiated in his stead. The body was taken in charge by undertaker Furgeson, and was removed to his undertaking parlors. The funeral occurred from there, on Saturday afternoon, and interment was had in Calvary Cemetery.

Poor old Kaspar, his deathbed was no easy couch, around which he drew the draperies, and laid down to pleasant dreams. He was not surrounded by those who should have loved him in life, and mourned him in death. His soul went to meet the maker, and was not accompanied by the sympathetic music of a grieving sob, or a broken hearted sigh. May God deal kindly with the poor old man, and in his infinite mercy, forget not, that Kaspar did no harm to anyone but himself. Worse men than he still live and have their being in the city. May the comforts, peace and happiness denied him in this life, have a glorious recompense in the existence beyond the grave. Following is the verdict of the coroner's jury:

State of Iowa,
Iowa County,

An inquisition holden at G. Holm's office, in Marengo, Iowa County, on the 3rd day of Oct., 1902, before Gustav Holm, J. P., acting as coroner, upon the body of Kaspar Jacobi, there lying dead, by the jurors whose name are hereto subscribed. The said jurors upon their oaths do say, after having heard the evidence and examined said body, we do find the deceased came to his death by exposure aggravated by drinking whiskey or beer to excess.

N. F. Kime
F. L. Flanagan
C. D. Norton Jurors