Lange, Simon, 1890-1915

LANGE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/13/2010 at 17:27:03

BODY OF SIMON LANGE FOUND

The body of Simon Lange who disappeared a little over a month ago was found at about six o'clock Tuesday morning [April 20] lodged in a clump of bushes which extended into the Rock River on what is known as the old Hellesfield farm about seven miles southwest of Rock Valley, by Atty. C. A. Walhof and Donald Hiemstra, the twelve-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hiemstra, who are living on this farm. The body was found about a mile and a half from where it was thought to have gone down.

Mr. Walhof drove out to the Hiemstra place early Tuesday morning to try his luck at fishing and to practice shooting before it was time to go to work. The Hiemstra lad went to the river with him and as they walked along the bank Mr. Walhof thought he saw something that looked like the body of a man, which upon further investigation it proved to be. He called Robert Hiemstra and his son Peter and with their assistance dragged the body upon the shore. They suspected that it was the remains of Simon Lange and so sent word to his brother, Emil Lange, who lives between two and three miles from there. Mr. Lange came at once and identified the remains as those of his brother. The body was badly decomposed, the eyes being gone and certain portions of the flesh, but from the clothing and other general appearances he was able to recognize it as that of his brother.

Mr. Walhof notified Coroner Myers of Hawarden who arrived about eleven o'clock. Constable Fred Collenbaugh was there and impanneled[sic] a jury consisting of J. C. Wiggerman, Mat Walpole and A. L. Halstead, and subpoened witnesses for the coroner's inquest. Five witnesses were examined and the evidence showed that it was the custom of the deceased to take his meals and sleep at the home of his brother, Emil Lange, who lived on a farm across the river from where the deceased farmed. The last time his brother saw him was on Tuesday, March 16. Other witnesses testified that they had seen a man who they thought was Simon Lange riding his horse toward the river from his brother, Emil's place, on Thursday morning, March 18. It is not known shere the deceased was Tuesday night and Wednesday night, and why he was coming from the direction of his brother's Thursday morning, but he had evidently not gone that far, as none of his brother's family had seen him. The supposition is that he had crossed the river earlier that Thursday morning and when he had got near his brother's place concluded to go back after something he had forgotten. In crossing the river he normally walked on the ice and lead[sic] his horse. One witness testified that he saw him dismount that morning and start on the ice leading his horse. About fifteen minutes later they saw the horse in the pasture and thought the man was working somewhere near.

No alarm was felt until Friday morning, March 19, when the horse was still in the pasture with the saddle on but no bridle when a search was begun which was continued for several days and a reward of $50 was offered to the one who should find his body. After hearing this evidence the jury rendered a verdict that Simon Lange had met death by accidental drowning.

The deceased would have been twenty-six years old June 2, 1915. He was a man of good habits, and a hard working man, and his brother stated that he did not think he had an enemy anywhere. He leaves to mourn three brothers and three sisters. Two of the brothers, Emil and Henrick reside southwest of Rock Valley. His other brother is serving in the European war in the German army. His three sisters live in Germany. The deceased was born in Germany and lived there until about three years ago when he came to Sioux county. His parents are both dead.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the German Lutheran church south of Rock Valley conducted by the pastor, Rev. Gillman.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, April 23, 1915.