Ahlrichs, Henry S. 1903-1923

AHLRICHS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/21/2012 at 17:14:15

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, December 28, 1923

FOUND HANGING IN COAL SHED
Father Discovers Lifeless Body of Son Suspended From Rafter
YOUTH ENDS HIS LIFE
Coroner Decides An Inquest Is Not Necessary

Ed Ahlrichs, residing at 615 Seventh Street SW., was horrified yesterday morning, when arising shortly before eight o'clock and going to the coal shed in the rear of his house, at finding the lifeless body of his son, Henry, suspended from a rafter. The shock nearly prostrated Mr. Ahlrichs. Recovering somewhat, he made his way back to the house and broke the dreadful news to other members, of the family. Coroner L. E. Mauer was notified and took charge of the body. He decided no inquest was necessary as circumstances pointed to a clear case of suicide. Henry Ahlrichs was twenty years of age.

His parents are at a loss to account for his rash act and state that he always seemed happy and cheerful. On Wednesday, his mother said, he complained of feeling, ill and spent most of the day in bed. At supper time he joined the family and was apparently in good spirits. About eight o'clock he left the house, ostensibly to join some companions uptown. This, apparently, was the last time he was seen alive.

From indications the coroner judged that the youth had been dead for several hours when the lifeless body wag found. He had secured a piece of stout rope which he ran through a small hole in a rafter and secured it there, with a large knot, and at the other end of the rope placed a noose around his neck. A box in close proximity had been used on which to stand and then kicked away.

In his clothes was found a torn necktie, which might lead to the belief that he first made an attempt to strangle himself with that article, and failing, procured a rope.

Henry Ahlrichs was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ahlrichs, and r was graduated from the Le Mars high school last spring. Since leaving school he had worked at carpentering and recently had been in the country husking corn. H e was a member of the high school football team and popular [next two lines are too dark to read].

He was a member of Company K, Iowa National Guard. The dead youth was familiarly known as Hank among his friends and was very popular. He had spoken lately of a wish to go to South America and obtain employment in that part of the world.

Some of his associates advance the theory that he was disappointed in love. Members of his family say that they were unaware of any attachment of the kind.

Henry Ahlrichs was born on April 24, 1903, and lived here all his life. He leaves to mourn his death his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ahlrichs, three sisters, Mrs. Martin Delaney, of Leeds; Mrs. H. O. Buebre, of Johnson township, and Lydia, and two brothers; Alfred and Wilbert living at home.

The funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s church at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Rev. S. C. Steinbrenner officiating.