Claus Christian Lemburg d. 1895

LEMBURG LEMBERG LEMBEURG HUCKSTAEDT BAGLEY HAWES HODGSON WARNER MOSENFELDER SKINNER DUMBALD KRAMER

Posted By: Lynnea Dickinson (email)
Date: 7/7/2006 at 20:55:03

Davenport Daily Republican (Davenport, IA); October 6, 1895:

He Was Tired of Life

Claus Christian Lemburg of Rock Island Commits Suicide

Hangs Himself in the Barn After Announcing His Intention to His Friends - Had Been Drinking Hard - Born in Davenport

Claus Christian Lemberg [sic], a young German in the employ of G. O. Huckstaedt’s furniture house, Rock Island, committed suicide yesterday morning between 6 and 6:30 o’clock. Lemburg was employed by Mr. Huskstaedt [sic] as teamster and collector for the past four years, and has proven himself a very acceptable and trustworthy employee. On Friday Lembeurg [sic] had been sent by Mr. Huckstaedt to do some collecting and also to deliver some goods, and while doing so began drinking. He stopped at Bagley’s saloon on Fifth avenue near Twenty-sixth street, and after several drinks turned to Mr. Bagley and said: “Well, come and have your last drink with me; for if you want to see me tomorrow you’ll have to come to my house and find me laid out.”
Mr. Bagley jokingly remarked that he had trouble too, and proposed that they both go to the river and jump in, but Lemburg remarked that he would rather go to the Hennepin canal and jump in, as their bodies would be more easily found.

Things Look Serious

Lemburg left Mr. Bagley’s saloon and that gentleman became somewhat suspicious on thinking of Lemburg’s talk and sent a man to Mr. Huckstaedt’s place of business to inform that gentleman that he had better keep a watch on Lemburg’s movements, else he might carry his threats into execution.
As soon as practicable Mr. Huckstaedt paid a visit to the home of Lemburg’s father, 1417 Sixth avenue, and finding Lemburg there, asked him what was the matter. Lemburg said that he was sick, suffering with a severe headache, but Mr. Huckstaedt informed him that he had been drinking too much and that if he had collected any money he had better turn it over to him, as he might spend it. Lemburg gave Mr. Huckstaedt all the money he had collected and at about 9 o’clock left his father’s house in company with his wife, and went to his own home, 1417 Sixth avenue. He went to bed and arising about 5:20 Saturday morning went to the barn, between Fourteenth and Fifteen streets, and in the rear of Sixth avenue, to attend to his horses and there committed the deed.

Found By His Father

Lemburg’s body was found by his father about 6:30, he having repaired to the barn to admonish his son regarding his intemperate conduct. Coroner Hawes was notified and empanelled a jury composed of C. E. Hodgson, foreman, S. S. Warner, Julius Mosenfelder, A. A. Skinner, O. A. Dumbald and L. Kramer. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict that the deceased “came to his death by hanging by his own hand with suicidal intent.”
Lemburg was born in Davenport twenty-eight years ago and has always born a good reputation for sobriety and was an exceedingly industrious young fellow. He is survived by a wife and two children, and his home life had always been happy. The only plausible cause for the rash act of yesterday morning was that he was rendered temporarily insane through excessive drinking Friday. The funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon from the late residence.