Ahlrich, Martin (Died 1906)

AHLRICH

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/17/2012 at 13:40:36

LeMars Globe-Post
May 12, 1906

MEETS A TRAGIC DEATH
MARTIN AHLRICH OF LE MARS BURNED TO DEATH IN KANSAS CITY

Funeral Held This Afternoon at Zion Church on Eagle Street

Martin Ahlrich, son of Mrs. M. Ahlrich, who lives on Hubbard street in
LeMars, met a tragic death in Kansas City on Sunday night, being burned to
death in the home of his brother, Karl Ahlrich whose house was consumed by
fire on Sunday night. The mother and son and daughter were prostrated by the
news and they can scarcely realize the terrible calamity which has befallen
them. The funeral will be held from the German Lutheran Church on Eagle
street this afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. J. Vollmar, the pastor.
Martin Ahlrich left LeMars about ten months ago when he was on the road for
a Kansas City firm and he had been rooming with his brother, Karl Ahlrich,
who is married and living in Kansas City. The first intimation that the
family had of the great trouble which had come to them was contained in the
following telegram to relatives in LeMars which was received on Monday:
“House burned, Martin dead.” Another telegram was received on Wednesday
apprising the distracted mother that the body of her beloved son would be
sent to LeMars on Friday.
The family has made its home in LeMars for the past fourteen years and
consists of the mother, Mrs. M. Ahlrich and two brothers, Karl Ahlrich of
Kansas City and Edward Ahlrich of LeMars and one sister, Miss Ida Ahlrich,
who is clerking in a store at Fenton, Iowa. Both the brother and sister
from out of town came to attend the funeral and to offer the stricken mother
that consolation which their presence will bring. The young man was related
to the Thaden family.
Deceased was about twenty-five years of age and was one of the bright and
p0rogressive young men of LeMars and his untimely death will be greatly
regretted. For three or four years he was engaged in the show business and
at one time had a company on the road.
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LeMars Globe-Post
May 16, 1906

TOOK HIS OWN LIFE
Martin Ahlrich Shot Himself and Shot Set Fire to Bedding, Burning the House.

Martin Ahlrich, who was reported to have burned to death in a fire in the
home of his brother, Karl Ahlrich, in a suburb of Kansas City, was in
reality the victim of his own act—the fire which consumed the upper part of
his brother’s house having been set by the revolver with which he took his
own life.

He had been sick for a long time with an ailment which refused to respond to
treatment and he was suffering the most intense pain for weeks. After
becoming thoroughly despondent, he planned to end his life and taking a
revolver and placing it to his head he sent a bullet crashing into his
brain, ending his agonies. The shot from the revolver set the bedding on
fire and before it could be extinguished the entire upper part of the house
was consumed and his body was frightfully burned.

A coroner’s jury was empanelled and after hearing the evidence, it returned
a verdict that he had died from a gun shot wound inflicted by his own hand
with suicidal intent. The remains were interred in the cemetery where he
had committed the rash act and were afterwards brought to LeMars for
interment.

The remains came on Friday and were taken to the undertaking parlors of John
Beely and the funeral was held on Saturday, conducted by Rev. G. C.
Rheinfrank.