Gustav Adolph Fegebank (1878-1903)

FEGEBANK

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 1/27/2016 at 19:23:13

A Mysterious Death

Without warning, with no convincing evidence of a premeditated desire to take his own life, and under seemingly favorable prospects of future health, Gustav Fegebank on last Friday morning at about 6:45 o'clock died by his own hand. This was the substance of the verdict rendered by the coroner's jury on the afternoon of the same day. The intention of the victim was left open for public speculation.

The young man's life ended at the home of Fred Boldenow, in Caledonia township, four miles west of Paullina. He had started to work there about March 1st but was compelled to consult a physician and refrain from work two or three weeks, after which he thought his physical condition fit for work. He resumed work Monday, and while his employer, Mr. Boldenow, and George Puhrman, an employee at the same place, were doing the chores. Gustav drove the cattle from the barn, through the gate in the pasture a few feet from the barn, and was found a moment after the sound of the pistol had rent the still morning air lying on his left side upon the weapon that had caused his death. The clothing had caught on fire from the discharge of the revolver. He lived but a few minutes, and was taken a few rods to the house.

Upon the arrival of medical assistance life was found extinct and the coroner was summoned. Sheriff Price, in the absence of the coroner, responded to the call. There being no justice of the peace in Caledonia township, J.R. Culp, justice in Union township, was summoned and acted as coroner. A jury composed of John Awe, C. Richter and C.F. Meyer was empaneled and their verdict was as stated before.

The evidence before the jury showed that deceased had exhibited no outward signs of a desire to commit suicide. There was very little evidence to show that the death was caused by an accident. In the absence of eye-witnesses to the deed and the good character and demeanor of the deceased there seems to be a general disposition among friends and relatives to consider the death as one of those mysterious, yet sad, circumstances that occur with astounding fequency and strike with telling force.

Gustav Adolph Fegebank was born at Bremen, Germany, August 5, 1878; came to America in 1892. Three brothers and a sister and his parents are living, one brother, Henry, being a resident of Paullina. The parents reside in the old country.

The funeral service was held at the Boldenow home Monday morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. O. Horn presiding, and the remains were placed in Prairie View Cemetery.

Paullina Times, Apr 9, 1903, Pg 5