Moser, Fred 1841-1901

MOSER

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 7/17/2011 at 05:56:59

COMMITTED SUICIDE. Fred Moser, of Fredonia Township, Ends His Existence at Remsen Saturday Night. LAUDANUM DID THE WORK. Drunk Two Ounces with Suicidal Intent – Trouble Over Domestic Affairs Causes Despondency.
Word was received in Le Mars Sunday morning that a man at Remsen had been found in his room in one of the hotels in Remsen dead and that the services of the coroner were wanted.
Cornoner Cole responded at once and went to the scene of the tragedy and at once summoned a jury to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the unfortunate man.
It proved to be Fred Moser, a well-to-do farmer in Fredonia township and an old-time resident. From the best information which could be obtained, the circumstances which led to the sad affair were about as follows:
Mr. Moser had experience some trouble with his wife relative to selling some land he desired to sell and she refused to assent to the transaction. On Saturday morning he drove to Remsen and remained throughout the day; he imbibed quite freely to drown his troubles and recited them freely to anyone whom he could secure to listen. In the afternoon he went to the drug store and purchased two ounces of laudanum. He remained in town over night and secured a room in the Lembke hotel. When he retired nothing unusual in his actions was noticeable. In the morning when he failed to come down stairs after a reasonable hour an entrance was forced into his room, when the discovery of his death was made. Near him was found a two ounce bottle laudanum which told the tale.
The coroner returned a verdict of suicide.
Mr. Moser was a native of Switzerland but came to America when a young man. He has resided in this county for more than twenty years, previous to that time he was a resident of Scott county, Iowa. At the time of his death he was about 60 years of age. He leaves a widow and several sons and daughters to mourn his death, most of whom reside in this county and near Madison, S.D.
The funeral will be held today and interment will take place in the Remsen city cemetery. – Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Oct. 22, 1901, page 1.