Siek, Christian 1872-1910

SIEK SIECK

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/3/2013 at 11:47:33

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Aug. 30, 1910

OVERCOME BY HEAT
ENDS HIS OWN LIFE
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Christian Siek, Respected Farmer
of Chester Township, Seeks
Suicide's End.
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HIS BODY IS FOUND
HANGING IN HAYLOFT
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His Act Was Committed Friday
Afternoon--Body Found After
Long Search.
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As a direct result of being overcome by the heat, Christian Siek, a prosperous and respected farmer living on the Willliam Schmidt place in the northeast corner of Chester township, ended his life by hanging last Friday afternoon. The body was found at about 11 o'clock Friday night in the rear of the hayloft of the barn, hanging from a brace, after the entire neighborhood had spent several hours in searching.

Coroner O.F. Parish was called and on Saturday morning impanelled a jury consisting of Henry Repenn, Paul Jackmins and Henry Frahm. After considering the evidence the jury returned a verdict of suicide without apparent reason.

About a week before his death Mr. Siek became overheated while threshing, but paid no attention to it and soon seemed as well as ever. Last Thursday he threshed on his own place, getting 2,000 bushels of oats from a 50-acre field. He did two men's work that day. Friday morning he did the chores around the house and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon came in the house and told his wife that he was going down in the lot to fix a fence. He was not seen after that and nothing was thought of his absence until he did not come in to supper. Then the serach was started with its sad ending.

Mr. Siek was one of the most highly respected men of his community. A loving husband and father, a good neighbor, in easy circumstances financially, he seemed destined for a long and happy life. His act is clearly due to the temporary insanity caused by the heat. He leaves a wife and five children.

The funeral was held yesterday and interment was in Tama cemetery.
-------------------------------------------------Iowa WPA Records:
Sieck, Christian
05 Sep 1872
26 Aug 1910
Maple Grove Cem.
Columbia Twp.
Tama Co.