Kline, Edward (Died 1891)

KLINE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann (email)
Date: 5/17/2010 at 20:11:42

Alton Democrat
October 24, 1891

SUICIDE AT LE MARS

Last Monday morning the people of LeMars were shocked to hear the sad news that Ed Kline had committed suicide by hanging himself in a barn in the south part of town.

The fact was first discovered by P. Dykstra. He got up that morning at five o’clock and proceeded to the barn to do his morning chores. To his surprise he found the door open, which he was positive he had closed the evening previous. On entering he saw a man standing near one of his horses and thinking it was a tramp, shouted, “Get out of there,” but no reply came and no move was made by the one addressed. Dykstra then said, “If I can’t put you out, I’ll get some one that can.” He went to get Mr. Heimstra, his neighbor. Both gentlemen then entered the barn and noticed that the man who was taken for a tramp was hung to the rafter above; they cut the rope; moved the body to the next stall and recognized him as Ed Kline, cold, stiff and breathless. They at once conveyed the news of their discovery to Coroner McMahan, who took charge of the body and had him removed to Beely & Fissel’s undertaking rooms, where an inquest was held. A coroner’s jury was empaneled consisting of T. B. Gallagher, Jim McCartney and J. H. Buttet.

From the evidence given the coroner’s jury by his sister, whom he had been living with, it was seen that he had been sick for a couple of weeks and with a little love affair mixed up with it, had got tired of life and took this means of making a final finish. Mr. Kline was a young man thirty-three years old and was principally engaged in training horses and caring for stock. He was a good natured young man and well liked by all who knew him.

After the inquest the body was turned over to Mr. Kline’s brother and sister, who took charge of the funeral, which took place last Tuesday.

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DEATH RECORD
PLYMOUTH CO. COURTHOUSE
KLINE, Edward
Died: 19 Oct 1891, LeMars, Iowa
Age: 32 years
Male
Occupation: Horseman
Single
Born: United States of America
Book #1, Page 79