John Mathre (1875-1910)

MATHRE

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/26/2010 at 23:14:19

Roland Record
14 July 1910

Life Became Too Heavy A Burden

John Mathre Ends Existence in Temporary Fit of Despondency

Discouraged by reverses and despondent over ill health, life apparently became an intolerable burden to John Mathre, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Mathre, and he committed the rash act of taking his own life at his home near Harrisburg, Nebr., last Thursday. The news did not reach here until Friday as his body was not discovered for several hours after he had shot himself with a shot gun.

The body was brought here for interment, the funeral sermon being preached in the Immanuel church by Rev. Heimarck, who very feelingly brought out the fact that all human life is a struggle and that at times it required more heroism to live than to die. Rev. Gunsten also made a few appropriate remarks in English.

John O. Mathre was born Feb. 13, 1875, at the Mathre home southeast of town, and was 35 years, 4 months and 15 days old at the time of his death. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn his untimely departure, besides his parents and brother and sisters.

He was naturally of a quiet disposition, bearing his troubles himself, and of late years had suffered from declining health. Some years ago he met with an accident which contributed towards breaking down his health. He fell into an open well out on the prairies in midwinter and was not rescued for many hours causing a sickness from which he never fully recovered. It is thought that the extreme heat of the past few weeks may have temporarily deranged his mind, causing him to brood over his troubles to such an extent that he was scarcely responsible for his action.

The neighbors and friends of this estimable family sympathize greatly with them in this hour of grief, and wish them the consolation that the Great Burden Bearer alone can give. - Story City Herald.