Brownell, Bert – Died 1898

BROWNELL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45

Source: Decorah Republican June 30, 1898 P 3 C 3

Attempted Murder and Suicided.
Independence Bulletin-Journal:—'Tuesday evening Bert. Brownell, of Oelwein, formerly a resident of Stanley, shot his wife and then killed himself. They were sitting in their little home when he suddenly drew a revolver, and, without giving any warning whatever, shot at Mrs. Brownell. The ball struck squarely on the bone at the back of her head, and flattened out completely. It embedded itself in the flesh, inflicting but a slight wound. She was able to attend the inquest. Brownell, after shooting his wife, turned the revolver on himself and pulled the trigger. The ball entered his head just back of the right ear and ranged upward to the brain. He lived until 5 o'clock Wednesday morning. The suddenness with which the act was committed, and the fact that Brownell has ever borne the best of reputation, serve to surround the affair in mystery, and no reason can be assigned for the act except that of temporary insanity. Brownell was about thirty years of age, and held a position as fireman on one of the C. G. W. trains running between Oelwein and Des Moines. He had two little children and had ever seemed happy in his home life.

See further information see http://iagenweb.org/boards/fayette/obituaries/index.cgi?review=16899
Also his wife died later - http://iagenweb.org/boards/fayette/obituaries/index.cgi?review=16898