Kuypers, Johannes abt 1862-1902

KUYPERS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/8/2012 at 09:53:24

Alton Democrat of July 19 and July 26, 1902
We erred last week in saying the suicide at Hopsers was one of the Hollanders who came over with Carl Wissink. Our report came after we had our Orange City, Ireton and Maurice packs in the mail and was written up hurriedly. The folowing is a fuller account of the sad affair; Johannes Kuypers was about forty years old and had been here only sice last spring. Since his arrival, or a greater portion of the time, he worked on the farm of Thomas De Jong northwest of Orange City up to Monday of last week when he expressed himself as being dissatisfired and quit work at same time demanding the money due him which amounted to some sixty dollars. Mr. DeJong had not expected him to quit just at the beginning of harvest and told him that he would be compelled to employ other help and could not pay him at that time. The money due Kuypers was all the capital he possessed and the matter worried him considerably. It is also stated that about this time he received a letter form the Netherlands announcing the death of an intimate friend which very much aggrieved him. It is thought that between the delay of his money and death of his friend and being naturally of a melancholy nature his mind becam unbalanced. He went to Hospers on Monday afternoon remaining there all week and apparently was in his normal mental condition. Friday he went to DeJong's again it is said to see about his money and then went over to D. Dykstra's and ate dinner. Shortly thereafter he was found hanging to a harness peg in Dykstra's barn.