Stortz, Francis 1845 - 1895

STORTZ

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/9/2021 at 14:45:04

Source: Decorah Republican May 9, 1895 P 4 C 1

Frank Stortz, in a fit of Mental Depression, rids himself of Trouble.
Word came by telegraph last Friday that Frank Stortz had committed suicide at his home near Norfolk, Neb. For particulars we are indebted to Capt. J. E. Simpson who sends us a copy of the News. The act was done early in the morning. Deceased went to the wagon shed adjusted a rope to a rafter, and standing on a wagon tongue made a noose which he fitted around his neck, and then stepped off into eternity. When found by his hired man life was extinct and although his feet just touched the floor of the shed the straw beneath him showed there had been no struggle after the act was done.
The act is attributed to mental unbalance on account of financial worry. Last year his crops failed, and he had a house built three years ago, involving him in a $1200 debt. This seriously troubled him, notwithstanding he owned a farm of 200 acres, worth $8000, well stocked and supplied with farm tools. There was nothing in his condition to worry a man with a healthy mind; but his wife noticed that some years ago he began having the blues whenever affairs went awry, in which he would hint at the uselessness of living. He was troubled with sleeplessness, and was awake nearly all the night previous.
Mr. Stortz was of the well known Stortz family of Canoe tow{n}ship, and went to Nebraska in 1878.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows this was Francis who was born in 1845 and died May 3, 1895. He is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk, NE.