Grau, Paul Braunt, 1892-1919

GRAU, YUNKER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/25/2012 at 13:52:03

TOOK HIS OWN LIFE
Paul Grau Fires Bullet Into His Body
Was Found Dead in His Automobile in Ireton at Late Hour Saturday Night

Like being struck by a bolt of lightning out of a clear sky, was the shock which the people of Ireton received about the midnight hour Saturday night [October 25] when the report spread rapidly from one mouth to another and from home to home that Paul Grau had been found dead in his own automobile and that death came by his own hand. A revolver, with empty chamber, lay at his side, giving evidence that death had been self-inflicted. The cause remains sealed with his lips. No one seems able to solve the mystery.

Paul came from the farm a few miles north of town early in the evening and transacted business in different places. His wife was at home, and as she was not feeling well, he had told her he would not stay late. As the evening rolled along without his return, she became uneasy and phoned to town for him. It was then that inquiry and search began. After going to the various places where he could usually be found, the searchers finally located his car on Main street between the Johnson garage and the Ehlers barber shop. The curtains were all on, rather obscuring the interior, but from a light which shone through, the searchers could see his body in the car and from its position and appearance realized instantly that something was wrong. Assistance was immediately sought and Dr. Burris happened to be the first person to be found. The Doctor got into the car and a hasty search for a pulse beat and heart throb soon disclosed to him the awfulness of the tragedy that had been enacted.

A cut in the wrist, but which had not severed an artery, was still bleeding. A bullet wound was disclosed just below the right arm. This penetrated the lung and caused death to soon follow. That no report was heard from the gun's discharge is accounted for from the fact that it was held close to the body and was covered by his clothing to deaden the sound.

A coroner's inquest was held Sunday afternoon. Dr. McCaughan was deputized to take charge. The jury, composed of F. W. Marienau, D. G. Johnson and Dr. Burris, made a careful inquiry from many witnesses, and after securing all the evidence that could possibly shed light on the tragedy, they returned a verdict that he came to his death by his own hand.

Paul Braunt Grau was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Grau, well known and highly respected residents of Ireton. He was born in Tama county, Iowa, Sept. 22, 1892, and came to Sioux county with his parents when he was 12 years old. After finishing the country schools he attended the Ireton high school one year. He then remained at home and worked on his father's farm until he married. He was united in marriage with Miss Emma Yunker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Yunker of Garfield township. After their marriage they lived one year on a farm in Plato township and then moved onto the old home farm in Center township where they have since resided. He leaves a wife and three small children, Lawrence, Mildred and Kenneth. He also leaves his parents, four brothers, Ora, Roger, Asa and Dean, the three former of Ireton and the latter of Norfolk, Neb., and one sister, Mrs. Helen Grau Mitchell of Ireton, to grieve and to mourn his death. Those near and dear certainly have the sympathy and condolence of the community.

He was a widely known young man and was held in high regard by all who knew him. So far as known he had no enemy in the world. He had been successful in his farming and stock raising operations and had laid the foundation for one of the finest herds of thoroughbred hogs in the state of Iowa.

Funeral services were held at the late home at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon and it was one of the most largely attended funerals in this community for many years. Rev. Neil Stewart, pastor of the Presbyterian church, conducted the services. Interment was made in the beautiful Ireton cemetery.

Among those attending the funeral from a distance were: Mrs. Adolph Baumgartner, Mr. and Mrs. John Darsher, Rudolph Yunker and Otto Miller of Elgin, Iowa; A. B. Gandy of Maple, Ill.; Carl Grau of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winders of Toledo, Iowa; Mrs. O. C. Vreeland of Montour, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Clement of Webster City, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Grau, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Grau, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Winders and daughter Billie, Mrs. Oscar Hart Jr. and Mrs. Kate Fish of LeMars; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Harms of Brunsville, Iowa; Mrs. Lizzie Alguire of Lake Andes, S.D.; Mrs. Clint Clay and son Carl of Bancroft, S.D.; and Mrs. D. D. Anderson of Brookings, S.D.

It certainly has been one of the saddest occurrences which Ireton and community has ever had, and the blow to the stunned wife and children and the sorrowing mother and father and brothers and sisters must be almost more than they can bear. Therefore let us all endeavor to lighten their burden and assuage their grief. To err is human, but there is one Judge who makes no mistakes. So let us for friendship's sake, for neighborliness and humanity's sake, endeavor to east and to cheer and to bind up the wounds and scard that have been made in the hearts of those who loved and adored him.

J. A. L.

Source: Hawarden Independent, October 30, 1919.

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Paul Grau, a prominent young farmer residing seven miles north of Ireton, was found dead in his automobile Saturday night with a bullet wound in his side and a cut on his wrist. He had driven to Ireton that night with the hired man. As the evening advanced the latter when he was ready to go home started out to look for Mr. Grau. After searching for him for some time, he gave up being able to find him and decided to take the car and drive on home. He went to the car and found Mr. Grau in it dead. He had evidently decided to cut an artery in his wrist, and then shot himself with an army revolver which he had borrowed from his brother about two weeks before.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, October 31, 1919.

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His herd of 43 registered Poland China hogs was sold at a dispersal sale on Feb. 9, 1920. The herd was headed by The Big Clansman 312659, who was sired by a noted boar owned by William Wrigley of chewing gum fame and who had cost Grau $6000 the previous year. The sale totaled about $14,000. (news notes, Hawarden Independent, January 22, 1920 and February 14, 1920; sale advertisements, Ireton Ledger, Jan. 29, 1920 and Hawarden Independent, February 5, 1920)