Furhman, Joe Died 1920

FURHMAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/29/2007 at 21:28:11

Onawa Weekly Democrat
16 April 1920
Joe Furhman Is Found Dead
He Had Lived Alone In His Little Store Many Years
Was Found by Marshal Heller and Others, in his Store Building, after the Door Had Been Forced Open

The dead form of Joe Furhman was found Wednesday evening by Marshal Heller and other citizens, cuddled in a heap on the floor near the stove in his little store building which is located just north of the Monona Hotel. Joe it is stated had not been feeling well of late, and Mr. Marshall who lives behind the Democrat office had been employed by Mr. Furhman’s brother to take meals to him. Since Tuesday noon no one had been able to enter the building and Mr. Marshall became suspicious that something might be wrong so Marshall Heller was notified and found this old citizen of Onawa dead.

Joe was of a very sensitive nature and maintained a strong will power. His brother had tried numerous times to better his condition of living, but each time it was of no avail. Joe would drift back into his old was of living. At one time his brother secured for him a fine quarter in a Jewish home at Omaha, but after a few months there, one bright morning Joe came walking into Onawa, returning once again to his old and most favorite haunts.

Joe came to Onawa many years ago and many of us remember him in our boy-hood days, just as our boys remember him today. We were taught then as our boys have been taught not to bother him because of his peculiar disposition, but the temptation was too strong and Joe would go with a complaint to our fathers just as he did to us in the days of now. But with all this Joe loved Onawa and no place was home but here, here where he had seen the majority of us grow from boyhood in to manhood. He is gone now never to return, but the old man with the dingy store and the cigar box will always be a memory to Onawa citizens.