Long, William 1887-1942

LONG

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/3/2011 at 21:28:14

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
July 14, 1942

LIFELESS BODY OF WILLIAM LONG FOUND ON PORCH
Had Apparently Been Dead For Several Days When Found

The lifeless body of William Long, well known Lincoln township farmer, was found on the porch of his home, near Neptune, about 2 o’clock Sunday morning. The man had evidently been dead for some time. The discovery of the body was made by Henry Rohrich, an acquaintance of the dead man, who stopped in to see him to remind him of an engagement to meet on Sunday. Mr. Rohrich failed to see Long in LeMars, Saturday, as he expected to, according to authorities who investigated.

On finding the body Mr. Rohrich went to the Luksan farm nearby for assistance. Sheriff Frank Scholer and Coroner S. H. Luken were notified and went out to investigate.

The man’s body was lying on the back porch of the house and by his die was a basket of oats with some eggs on top of the oats. His faithful dog was lying alongside.

The coroner stated the man had probably been dead two or three days. The body was badly decomposed lying in the sun so many hours.

Long was a bachelor and lived alone. According to authorities nobody recalled seeing him the past two or three days. There was mail in the post office box some distance from the house with a newspaper bearing the date of Tuesday, but one of his relatives said that would not signify much as Long did not go to his mailbox every day. All the stock on the place had access to feed and water with the exception of a few chickens, which were in an enclosure and were thirsty. A neighbor spoke to Long, Tuesday evening, while Long was doing chores and carrying a basket of oats.

Mr. Long had been known to be suffering from heart trouble and had been under the care of a physician at Merrill and death was ascribed to a sudden attack of the disease.

William Long was born in Plymouth County September 8, 1887, and lived on a farm all of his life.

He served overseas in the World War in the 116th Engineers, in the Fortieth Division, in 1918.

He leaves four brothers, Edward Long of Los Angeles, Thos. Long of LeMars, Marcus Long of Orange, Cal., John Long of Long Beach, Cal., and four sisters, Mrs. Will Gralapp of Salt Lake City, Frances Long, San Francisco, Mrs. Wm. Toles of Los Angeles, and Mrs. A. E. Hammersberg, Peerless, Montana.

Mr. Long was of a jovial disposition and was well liked in the community.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon under the auspices of the American Legion and the body buried in the soldier’s plot in the City Cemetery.

The Mauer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.