Bauma, James Ignatus "Jim" 1866-1926

BAUMA, BOUMA, GENGLER, PANGELS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/13/2023 at 14:07:20

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, May 7, 1926

FIND CORPSE BY ROADSIDE
Suffering From Hallucinations Jim Bouma Ends His Own Life.
Severs Jugular Vein.
Had Worked Around Here for Many Years.

Children of Fred Susemihl, residing east of the City cemetery, while going home from school about five o’clock, Tuesday afternoon, came across a gruesome find when they discovered the body of Jim Bouma lying in a ditch on the south side of the road. The body was lying in a pool of blood and the face and throat were smeared with gory stains.

Coroner L. E. Mauer was notified and drove out to the place to make an investigation. The coroner from appearance judged that the man had been dead for three or four hours. He had slashed his throat with a razor, severing the jugular vein. The razor was found a few yards from where the corpse was found. There were two pools of blood indicating the man had struggled violently after inflicting the gash in his throat. An empty purse was found in his clothing. The coroner decided that there was no necessity for an inquest as it was a plan case of suicide. The man was undoubtedly demented. He had complained of late of hearing strange noises both at night in his home where he lived alone and in the day time and declared the whispering voices had conveyed threats of harm which would befall him. The body was turned over by the coroner to the Wiltgen undertaking firm.

LIVED ALONE OF LATE.
Of late Bouma had been living in a small house on the property of his brother-in-law, J. W. Gengler on Eighth Avenue SE. Bouma, who worked as a farm hand and at a day labor for many years used the house when out of work or when it suited his convenience. He had told people, with whom he was acquainted that he was not feeling well the past few weeks.

Bouma had resided here the past 44 years, coming here when a youth and this was his home, although he made many trips and stayed away for long periods of time in bygone years. He came back from South Dakota some months ago, where he had been working. He stated money for work was coming to him from parties there, but was tied in banks which had failed. Bouma was well known to a large number of people in LeMars and vicinity as he had worked for a number farmers among whom he was known as “Jim” Bouma.

BORN IN HOLLAND.
Ignatz P. Bouma was a native of Holland, Europe, where he was born on August 19, 1866, and came with his parents to this country when a boy.

He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. J. W. Gengler, of LeMars and Mrs. Henry Pangels, of Primghar, and a brother, George Bouma, who returned from this country to Holland some years ago.

Mr. Bouma was a single man.

The funeral was held yesterday morning at St. Joseph church and the interment made in the Catholic cemetery.
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RESEARCH NOTES:
Alternate Surname Spelling = BAUMA.
Buried Calvary Catholic Cemetery, LeMars, Iowa.
James Ignatus Bauma is listed with other immediate family members on The Bauma Family tombstone.