Rothenbuehler, Edward 'Edwin' 1889-1910

ROTHENBUELER, ZANGGER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 11/11/2015 at 07:38:49

Alton Democrat September 17, 1910

Edward Rothenbuehler a young man about twenty two years of age residing with his parents three miles southeast of Granville was accidently shot and killed last Sunday. Young Rothenbuechler who, because of his pleasant disposition was a favorite, when going to town met Joe Oberman, on of his friends, and invited him to ride into town with him. This meeting took place right on the outskirts of town near what is familiarly known as the Galles ice pond.

Young Oberman remarked that he would go home through the slough as he might get a shot at something. The friends parted young Rothenbuehler started his hose for town and Joe Oberman steppoff the grading to go into the slough. It seems that Joe Oberman changed the position of his gun at this time and as he stumbled in going down the grading the gun was discharged. Young Oberman called to his friend “Are you hurt” but as the horse trotted right along concluded the shot had done no harm and young Oberman gave it no further though but continued his way.

Edward Rothernbuehler had been shot, however, receiving the full charge of buckshot in his right temple, the charge tearing out part of his face and his right eye. The horse now driverless trotted into town. The rig passed several pedestrians but none noticed anything wrong. Then the rig reached main street F. Van Bergen noticed there was something wrong and say the blood.

The rig was stopped and young Rothenbuehler was carried into the pool hall and Dr. Bowers attended him at once but he passed away five minutes later without regaining consciousness. A while later Joe Oberman reached home and when his father told him what had happened to his friend Joe, then realizing what had happened remarked ‘Then I am the man that shot him’. It is a sad case. Two homes are grief stricken. The Rothenbuehlers have had more that their share of trouble the last few years. Two daughters had but recently returned from Sioux City hospitals and last Sunday their boy was brought home a corpse.

At the Oberman they suffer no less Joe is almost frantic as a result of the awful tragedy and his mother‘s life was despaired of Sunday night. We tried to comfort her last Monday as she lay in bed, sick at heart, tears following prayer and prayer following tears, refusing to be comforted. It shocked the town and the community. Both boys were favorites and the sympathy of the community is with both families. No blame is attached to Joe Oberman. It was simply a sad accident. The funeral was held on Wednesday. It was a large funeral.

(The 1910 census of Caledonia, O’brien Co. Ia lists his father as Gottieb Rothenbueher born about 1852 Switzerland, mother Mary Zangger born about 1864 Switzerland, Ed was third in a large family born about 1889 in Iowa.)