Sobolik, Charles – Died 1901

SOBOLIK

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/8/2020 at 13:19:18

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 7, 1901 P 2 C 2

On Tuesday, Dr. Jewell was called to Calmar township to hold an inquest upon the body of Charles Sobolik at the farm of his brother, James Sobolik. He summoned as his jurymen E. C. Walker, P. L. Kittilsby and A. McRoberts, all of Calmar, and the evidence adduced was that the young man had been ailing for about a week. There was nothing to indicate by his behavior that he contemplated taking his life; in fact, aside from his illness, he conducted himself the same as usual. He complained of pain in his eyes and hard headache but refused to see a physician. Monday he remained in his room almost all the time, leaving it only twice, once at 11 o'clock in the morning and again at 9 o’clock at night. Tuesday morning, when his brother James went to call him, he secured no response. He then drove to the home of his parents and brought his mother to the farm. She also tried to arouse Charles but after failing called her son James and instructed him to force the door. Breaking a hole in the panel, he reached in, released the latch and they entered. The young man was lying on the bed and when Mrs. Sobolik examined him he was found to be dead. Dr. Roome, of Calmar, was sent for and upon examination found a bullet wound on the right temple with the hair singed around the wound. The revolver by which the deed was committed was previously found in the bed by the brother. The verdict of the jury was to the effect that the deceased came to his death from a shot from a revolver fired by his own hand. The young man had lived with his brother about eighteen months. He was bright and reasonably intelligent and there seems to be no cause that can be assigned for his rash act save mental derangement caused by illness. At just what time Sobolik took his life will never be known as neither James Sobolik nor his wife heard anything of him after nine o’clock the previous night.

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 14, 1901 P 6 C 1

The suicide of Charles Sobolik at his home one mile west of here on the 4th inst. was a great shock to the people of this community, where Charles was well and favorably known. There is little doubt but that young Sobolik was temporarily insane when be committed the fatal act.