Folkedahl, Sophia 1877 - 1914

FOLKEDAHL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/2/2024 at 16:46:56

Source: Decorah Republican Sept. 24, 1914, P4 C3

SUICIDE NEAR HIGHLANDVILLE.
Sophia Folkedahl, Despondent, Ends Her Life by Taking Poison.
The neighbors about two and one-half miles northwest of Highlandville were startled last Saturday night when they learned that Sophia Folkedahl, a young woman living with her parents, had committed suicide by taking poison. Just how it all occurred cannot be learned. She was dead when found. The coroner was sent for, but as he could not be located Justice Plunkett of Hesper was called and he held the inquest. The young woman never was very strong physically or mentally. Some three years ago she went to North Dakota and took up a claim near Williston. She did all she could to make her claim good to the land but as she was short of seed she put in only nineteen instead of twenty acres as the law requires. When she came to prove up she was unable to swear that she had seeded twenty acres and she came home very much disturbed and her friends noticed that she was wavering in her mind. The land agent at Williston was written to, explaining the situation, and he wrote back that under the circumstances he would hold her claim open for her. She returned to the claim with some relatives and proceeded with the work necessary for proving up but her mind seemed becoming more and more unballanced{sic} and she was brought home. When she reached La Crosse she was so bad her relatives near Highlandville were telephoned to come after her, which they did. When she arrived home she became more moody and despondent, which resulted in the suicide. Where she got the poison is unknown but it is supposed she went out quietly in La Crosse and secured it.

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 1, 1914, P7 C1

In the last issue of the Republican there was a report of the suicide of Sophia Folkedahl of near Highlandville. As at first no one knew the exact facts in the case, the writer of the stated article has been misinformed and we will take occasion to correct the wrong impression made by the article. The deceased has always been in good health both physically and mentally until about a year or so ago, when her mind became unbalanced due no doubt to the trouble she had in proving her claim. Some weeks ago she went to Ray, N. D., accompanied by her sister Bertha, to settle the difficulty about her claim, but it was found to be impossible for her to stay there. On their return from North Dakota she was taken to the hospital in La Crosse where the doctors adjudged her insane and advised that she be sent to Independence as soon as possible. When they returned to her home she seemed to improve so they thought it safe to delay sending her to Independence for a little while. Her folks used the utmost care and precaution and destroyed all harmful drugs found in the house, even liniment. The poison she took was some that no one else remembered having in the house as it was many years since it had been purchased by a brother now deceased, presumably for killing gophers. She had kept it concealed on her person for several days, keeping it under her pillow at night. Then Saturday night, Sept. 19, she took some of the deadly stuff and afterwards told her sister of her deed, who at first would not believe her as they were so sure that there was nothing dangerous in the house. But the girl insisted and told where she had found it, and it soon became apparent that it was too true. Everything in the way of administering antidotes was done, the girl herself doing all she could to save her life. After she had taken the poison she came to her full senses and realized the enormity of her deed. She prayed that her sin might be forgiven and that she might be saved from eternal death. For a little while it seemed as if their efforts would be of avail to save her life, but it was only temporary and in a short time she was dead. In the morning Dr. Jewell, the coroner, was summoned but as there was no doubt of it being a suicide he said it was not necessary that he come. The justice of the peace from Hesper was called. The deceased was a woman of charming qualities and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. She was always thoughtful and considerate of others and even in her last moments her concern was for the shame and sorrow she had brought to her aged and feeble parents. She leaves to mourn her untimely demise besides her father and mother, two brothers and four sisters. The deceased was about thirty-seven years of age. The funeral services were held at the Big Canoe church on Wednesday, Sept. 23, Rev. Seehuus officiating. He spoke words of comfort to the grieving survivors, assuring them that as far as mortal could tell they could hope that she had received mercy. The sympathy of the entire community is with the bereaved survivors in their great sorrow.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows she was born Aug. 29, 1877 and died Sept. 20, 1914. She is buried in the Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery.

Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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