Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-12-15
sudden Death.

The death Of Peter Koppelkom at his
residence in this city at an early hour
on Wednesday morning was as sudden
as it is sad. The circumstances attend
ing the death of this old pionner of the
Hills, are briefly as follows:
On Tuesday night he retired at his
accustomed hour, and soon fell asleep.
in which condition he remained during
the entire night, which was somewhat
surprising to his wife, on account of it's
being unusual for him to enjoy un.
broken slumber for so long a period
At the usual hour in the morning his
wife arose, and while he was yet asleep,
built fire and commenced getting
breakfast, wondering why he did not
awaken in accordance with his usual
cutom. A half hour elapsed, when she
heard a weak cough, and going into his
bed room she found him sitting no in
bed moaning, while blood in small
quantity was issuing from his mouth
She at once assisted him in getting up,
and in getting to the fire, when the flow
Of blood increased to an alarming ex.
tent, and in a very short time, not TO
exceed five minutes, he fell upon his
knees and expired in her arms. She
was alone with her dead husband, and
raising him gently, md placing him on
chair, she ran for assistance, meeting
man near by she directed him to go for
doctor at once. DIR. Fisher was called
and was soon at the scene of death, but
too late to render aid, as the silent mes
senger had placed its seal upon the
victim, even before he received the sad
summons.
The deceased was born in Germany
AAse4ssssx as
America when he was yet young man,
scarcely twenty-one years of age. Mucli
Of his later life has been spent in the
mining regions o. the far west. having
been pioneer of many of the historic
camps which have had their day, and
now only exist as q memory. His life
10 Itpictc Win duNCu'ufC anu S'aithbe
episodes in the wild west of bygone
days, and in common with the true
pioneer, he possessed kind and free
heart, which prompted him to the
noblest acts Of charity upon all oc.
casions where help for the needy was
required.
He married Miss Sophia Schwartz. an
estimable lady of Virginia City, Nevada.
on the 2lst day of May, 1867, at that
place, with whom he lived in happy
union up to the time Of his death. and
who now most sincerely mourns his
sudden demise The deceased came TO
the Black Hills from Salt Lake in 1876,
and has been since engaged in the
butcher business at Deadwood, Lead
City and at this place where he has re-
sided since May. 1890. He has been in
feeble health for some time, and fire.
quently confined to his bed for brief
periods, with a complication OF ailments,
but the immediate cause of his death
was due to hemorrhage Of the stomach
this being the second attack Of the
malsdy experienced in the past few
weeks His generous heart and affable
disposition made for him many friends
throughout the Hills, who will learn
with much regret the sad news of his
Sudden demise.
Faneral services were held at the
Congregational Church at . o'clock p.
m. on Thursday, conducted by the
pastor, Rev. ]. ]. Shingler. after which
BE- was solemuly consigned to his last
rest in the Custer cemetery.
Peace to his ashes.