Iowa
Old Press
Jackson Sentinel
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
April, 27, 1889
KILLED BY WHISKEY
Peter Ternes, one of the well-to-do farmers of Richland Township,
came to Bellevue last Tuesday for a load of lumber. Peter, though
a good man in every other way, had a weakness for drink. He
seldom went where drink was to be had but what he took too much
of it. It was just so Tuesday. He had drank to excess, and when
about ready to start for his home, near 5 o’clock in the
evening he fell off his wagon, striking his head on the stone
pavement, and likely cracking his skull, as he died three hours
later. His remains were taken home yesterday morning. Peter
Ternes was a man well liked by his neighbors and possessed of
good business ability as he had accumulated quite a snug fortune
and was about to retire from the farm, having turned that over to
his sons. He was a brave soldier in the great war of the
rebellion and as long as he remained at home, was an industrious,
sober and estimable citizen. Mr. Ternes was about 60 years of
age. He leaves a wife and several grown up children to mourn his
tragic death.
[transcribed by K.W., June 2009]