VandeBrake, William E., 1890-1920

VANDEBRAKE, DEZEEUW

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/9/2016 at 19:22:23

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 22, 1920:

YOUNG BUSINESS MAN MURDERED TUESDAY NIGHT
Wm. E. Vande Brake Was Shot and Killed by Unknown Man

Wm. E. Vande Brake, one of the proprietors of the Corner Drug Store was shot and killed by an unknown man in his place of business Tuesday night [October 19] at about 9:00 o'clock. He died about 30 minutes after being shot.

He was alone in the store at the time, and was just getting ready to close the store for the night when the murder[er] entered and shot him. No one knows the motive for the murder, whether it was an attempted hold-up, or through revenge. The latter is not very probable as he had not an enemy in Rock Valley or Sioux Center where he lived before coming here. It could hardly have been for robbery as nothing was taken from the store. The theory that seems most plausible is that the man was a dope fiend, and upon being refused the dope he drew his gun and fired.

Mr. Vande Brake was evidently standing in front of the counter five or six feet from the door. One shot was fired and Mr. Vande Brake fell mortally wounded, the bullet taking effect just above his heart, severing the main artery. He was unconscious when found and could not be revived to give any description of the assailant. D. R. Huizenga was among the first to the scene of the shooting, and after a hasty examination saw that there were no hopes for his recovery. The wounded man was then removed to the hospital and died just after reaching it.

Bert Reinders and F. L. Achatz were going up the street near the First National Bank when the shooting occurred. They saw the murderer rush from the store and run east along Kimball Avenue. The night was dark and they could not see the man plain enough to give a description of him, so there is practically no clue. The bullet was from a 38-calibre revolver.

In a very brief space of time a large crowd had gathered and excitement ran high. After it was announced that he was dead, searching parties were organized who spent the night looking for the murderer. They visited Inwood and searched a freight train, and another party went to Perkins and watched the Great Northern trains, but without success. Wednesday morning they started out again. Tracks on the Milwaukee road east that might have been made by a man running in the dark were found. The tracks kept to the railroad about three miles east of here which led some to believe that the murderer may be in hiding on some farm in this vicinity, and this is about the only clue left to work upon.

A mass meeting which filled the opera house was held Wednesday afternoon, and it was decided at the meeting to offer a reward of $1000, for the arrest and conviction of the murderer. A dozen or more suspects have been taken from freight trains and brought in for examination, but as yet there is no clue.

The deceased was a young man who was universally liked. He has made friends at once of all whom he met. He came from Sioux Center some eight months ago and went into partnership with his brother, Bert Vande Brake in the Corner Drug Store. He was also very popular at Sioux Center where he lived most of his life.

Besides other relatives he leaves a wife and two small children who are heart broken over the sad affair and who have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.

Funeral services will be held in the reformed church in Rock Valley at 10:30 o'clock A.M., and at Sioux Center at 2:00. The Mayor requests that all business places in Rock Valley be closed during the services in the morning.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, October 29, 1920:

WILLIAM E. VANDE BRAKE

The funeral of William E. Vande Brake who was murdered in his place of business last week Tuesday evening, was held in Rock Valley Friday forenoon from the Reformed Church and at Sioux Center in the afternoon. At both services the churches were filled to their utmost capacity by friends who desired in this way to express their regret and sympathy with the bereaved relatives and their respect for the departed. Many beautiful floral offerings were in evidence.

The subject of this sketch was born on a farm near Sioux Center Jan. 14, 1890 and was at the time of his death thirty years, nine months and five days old. Almost his entire life was spent near Sioux Center where he received his education and grew to manhood. He was united in marriage six years ago to Pearl DeZeeuw at Sioux Center. To this union two children were born, girls, the oldest four years old and the other a babe of one year, who with their mother are left to mourn the untimely death of a father and husband. The deceased also leaves a mother and two brothers, Bert and Gerrit, and two sisters, Winnie who is at home with her mother, and Mrs. B. Den Herder, of Sioux Center.

It is needless to say that the bereaved relatves have the sincere sympathy of the entire community. The deceased was a man who was universally liked by all who knew him. He made friends quickly with all whom he met and kept them. He came to Rock Valley about eight [months] ago, and even in that short time he has made a wide acquaintance and a number of friends. The bereaved relatives desire to express their thanks and appreciation for the kindness and sympathy during their great bereavement.

(Followed by an article saying that his murder is still unsolved.)

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The murder was covered in other area newspapers, also. The Alton Democrat (October 23) has a longer article, but portions are fuzzy and illegible in the online newspaper; it appears to add no additional significant details.

A substantial obituary was published in the Alton Democrat, Rock Valley news (October 30), largely repeating the details above and adding several sentimental comments. It adds the following:
He was a barber by trade and conducted a shop in Sioux Center, but finally discontinued the business. About one year ago he purchased an interest in the Corner drug store with his brother Bert and was enjoying a liberal patronage and was esteemed by his patrons for his courteous and dignified manner and business integrity. He was affiliated with the Reformed church and was a teacher in the Sunday school.

His widow married John Smith in 1936 and died in 1963. Her obituary (posted separately) gives the names of her two daughters with William Vande Brake as Dorothy (Mrs. Louis Boeyink) and Patricia (Mrs. Irvin Mouw).