Ten Berge, Engel, died 1922

TENBERGE, TERBERGE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2017 at 22:09:32

From the Rock Valley Bee, March 24, 1922:

A man was found dead last week Thursday morning [March 16] along the road side west of Sheldon. The man had evidently committed suicide. He was well dressed. A bottle which had contained carbolic acid beside the body. A small book in the man's pocket showed him to be Engel Ter Berge of Plankington, S.D. His mother at Plankington was notified and the body was sent there the following day. It was a clear case of suicide and no inquest was held.

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From the Hawarden Independent, March 23, 1922:

A young man was found dead last Thursday morning by a mail carrier on the Boyden road a half mile west of Sheldon. Authorities were notified and Coroner Wm. Duven of Orange City took charge of the body. The young man had been dead but a short time. The case was obviously one of suicide, as an empty carbolic acid bottle was found near the body. A book in the man's pocket had the name of Engel Ten Berge of Plankington, S.D. His mother of that place was notified and the body was sent there Friday.

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From the Boyden Reporter, March 23, 1922:

Suicide Victim Found Near Sheldon
E. TenBerge, of Plankington, S.D., Name on Book in Pocket
Body Found Thursday Morning Near Illinois Central Tracks, One-Half Mile West of Sheldon--Young Man of Good Appearance.

The body of a man was found last Thursday morning at about eight o'clock, about four rods east of the Illinois Central tracks, where they cross the highway one-half mile west of Sheldon. About two rods away from him was found an empty bottle which had contained carbolic acid and the condition of the man's mouth and body proved that the drinking of that poison was the means of his self destruction. Upon a leaf in a small book in one of the man's inside pockets was written the name of E. TenBerge, Plankington, S.D.

Mr. Freeman Merrill in driving along the highway was the first man to notice the body. He at once came into town and got Marshal Rider. Upon examination of the surroundings, the empty bottle was found a few feet away. The body being in Sioux county, the sheriff and coroner were called from Orange City, but it was not thought necessary to hold an inquest, and the body was brought to the Sioux undertaking parlors.

Upon further examination a 32 calibre revolver was found in one of his pockets fully loaded. Nothing else was found upon his person except about 40 cents in change. The man was about 23 or 24 years old, very well dressed, both outer and under clothing, good shoes and a new shirt. He was red haired. The body was in a very cleanly condition. He wore a blue serge suit.

The acid had burned the mouth badly and so burned the passage from the mouth to the stomach that the burn was very plainly visible on the outside of the body.

Word was sent to Plankington and his mother was located, a lady named Mrs. Kuenen. The body was shipped there Friday.