Rembe, Valentine 1865-1919

REMBE

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/20/2014 at 16:29:30

BLOWS OUT BRAINS

FARMER FOUND DEAD IN HARVEST FIELD

BROODED OVER OLD SORROWS

Valentine Rembe, a Resident of This County Since Boyhood Commits Suicide--Had Lived Much Alone of Late Years

Valentine Rembe, a resident of Plymouth county nearly all his life and a well known farmer of Plymouth county, residing in Liberty township six miles west of Merrill, was found dead in the field beside his harvester on Saturday morning. The entire top of his head was blown off and his shot gun was found beside the body.

Mr. Rembe went into Merrill early in the morning to get some twine for his binder having run short. His speedy return was expected by men who were to assist him in shocking the grain. Appearances indicate that it was shortly after he entered the field that he shot himself. No one heard the report of the gun although two or three men were in close vicinity.

Mr. Rembe is supposed to have been laboring under temporary aberration when he committed the rash act. He was financially well off and had recently sold his farm at a fair price and had spoken to friends of the fact that he was well enough off to live at ease the rest of his life. Others, however, attribute his act to despondency and claim that he regreted his action in selling the home where he had lived so long and disliked the thought of leaving the place. He had told friends a day or two previous, however, he was glad he was coming to town and leaving the farm.

His aged mother with whom he had lived for many years met a tragic death about a year and a half ago when she was accidentally burned to death by falling on a stove. She was old, feeble, and helpless and a constant care to him and the shocking accident which occured during a momentary absence of his from the house gave him a great shock. Since her death he constantly recurred to the tragedy and brooded over the sad circumstances.

Mr. Rembe was a bachelor and lived alone since his mother's death. He was about 52 years of age and lived in Plymouth county since he was a small child.

A brother, George Rembe, lost his life a year or two ago by being asphyxiated while repairing his car in a garage on his farm in Preston township.
Mr. Rembe is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Dan Tooker, of LeMars, and Mrs. Charles Albrecht, of Johnson township.

Coroner Barnett, of Merrill, was notified of the suicide and took charge of the body.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at merrill and the interment made in Le Mars city cemetery.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, July 22, 1919
Le Mars, Iowa