Rubie, Chris 1865 - 1913

RUBIE, MICHOR

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/28/2023 at 11:14:47

Source: Decorah Republican Jan, 23, 1913 P3 C4

CHRIS. RUBIE COMMITS SUICIDE.
Daughter Finds Lifeless Body Hanging in His Cigar Factory.
There was considerable excitement on East Water street just before dinner time last Thursday morning when Helen Rubie, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Chris Rubie, came running down stair from over the Nelson building crying that her father was dead. In her hand she held a scrap of paper on which were written the words—
“I killed him. J. M. B.”
Chas. Haas was standing near by with Geo. H. Baker. They immediately notified Sheriff Flemming, who quickly arrived on the spot, and together they went up stairs to the rooms occupied by Mr. Rubie as a cigar factory. There they found the man hanging by the neck, dead, although the body was still warm. The deed had evidently been thoroughly premeditated as he was seen on the streets only an hour and a half before. The body was cut down and Coroner Jewell summoned but all hope of resuscitation was gone. It was clearly a case of suicide but the paper with the words written upon it added a matter of mystery that had to be fully investigated. The young girl ws brought to the inquest and although she was questioned thoroughly strongly denied any knowledge of the writer. Nothing could be done to make her confess anything and she was allowed to go. Subsequently she admitted to County Attorney Houck that as soon as she got into the room and found her father dead she took a scrap of paper and wrote the words. She said she did it to save her father, supposedly referred to certain church restrictions in such cases.
The only reason that can be given for the deed is despondency because of lack of business. Of late his business has dropped off until it was nothing and it was impossible for him to make a living. He was insured in the Woodmen for $2000 and the Catholic Order of Foresters for $500. The burial occurred from St. Benedict’s church Saturday morning.
Mr. Rubie was a native of Holland where he was born January 20, 1865. He was married on September 11, 1896, to Mary Michor at Waverly. Six children were born to them, all of them with their mother survive. In their bereavement the family have much sympathy.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he died Jan. 16, 1913.

St. Benedict Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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