Chauncey D. Grauel

GRAUEL

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/14/2008 at 10:54:06

C. D GRAUEL
Prominent Citizen Passes Away Early Tuesday Morning
Café Owner, Takes Own Life, Ill Health, Cause of Self Destruction

Our citizens were greatly shocked when the news came that C.D. Grauel, one of our most respected citizens and business men had hung himself in the basement of his café. The body was discovered by his sons, Harold and Clarence.

Mr. Grauel arose about 5 o’clock Tuesday morning and went to his place of business, as it was his custom to open up the café in the mornings, as he left early in the evening, leaving his son, Clarence, to close up for the night. About seven o’clock customers found the door locked---very unusual at that hour. Word was sent to the house by friends, thinking perhaps Mr. Grauel was ill. They were told that he had gone to the café shortly after five o’clock. His son, Harold, came downtown immediately and found the place still locked. He went to the upper room where Clarence was sleeping, awakening him, got the key to the door and upon searching froound the body of his father in the basement where he had hanged himself.

Dr. Baumeister was called and pronounced that life had been extinct for at least half an hour. Deputy sheriff E. F. Oxley, in company with Henry and Nobert Blust being present took the body to the H. F. Blust Funeral home where it was prepared for burial and later taken to his late home.

About two years ago Mr. Grauel had a slight stoke of paralysis, from which he apparently completely recovered but recently he has complained of not feeling well and spent considerable time at home, leaving his business in charge of his sons. His most intimate friends knew for a long time that Mr. Grauel was not well. He had seemed worried and under considerable nervous strain of late. Monday he was about town much as usual, seemed to be cheerful and never complained. He went home about five o’clock pm as his son, Harold had told his father he would look after the business of the café the rest of the evening.

Mr. Grauel came to Avoca about 16 years ago from Harlan, where he had lived for number of years. He lived at Tennant for a time conducting a general store, and acting as postmaster. He purchased the Avoca Bakery of George Meyers and from the start had a nice business. Mr. Grauel had made many friends, took a deep interest in the affairs of our city, both in a business and social way. The community regrets his sudden death and extends deep sympathy to the widow, three sons, George, Harold, and Clarence and one daughter, Mrs. Ed Harris all of Avoca. One son, Roy, died about one year ago, and one daughter, Miss Bessie, died about three years of age.

The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church today, Thursday, May 13, at 2: o’clock and the remains were taken to Harlan and laid to rest in the family lot in the cemetery of that city.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald