The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-04-30
HE DROWNED HIMSELF.
WILLIE SEVERSON TAKES HIS
OWN LIFE.
Put on Two OvercOats and Lay Down
in the Little Cobb River--The Rash
Act OF rledo Boy--Was Dispondent
Over Ill gfeaIth-= Coroner Paddock
Holds an Inquest Over the Remains.

Holds an Inquest Over the Remains
Shortly after noon Tuesday, G. N.
Alderman, of MedO, found the re-
mains of Willie A. Severson lying ia
the Little Cobb river, where the lat
ter runs through S. e. Severson's
farm, back of the barn. There were
tracks to the river, indicating that
the young man had walked into the
water, which is three or four feet
deep there, and deliberately drowned
himself. The body was found four or
five rods down stream from the point
where the tracks were seen.
Young Severson had not been in
good health for some time, and it is
thought that his deed was due to de-
spondency on this account. He wore
two overcOats when found, although
he never wore but one in winter.
Seversons father was dead, and he
lived with his brother S. E. Sever
son. He had an interest in his fathers
estate, was unmarried and % years
old.
The last seen of Severson was Sun
day evening al dark, and it is thought
that he drowned himself that even
ing, as the remains had the appear
ance Of having been in the water for
! ri WI
had made no threats of taking his
! life, and his act was a surprise to all
who knew him.
Coroner Paddock was summoned
and left at 4:30 o'clock Tuesday after
noon. He decided to hold an inquest,
and summoned the following jury:
Geo. Blaisdell, Knute Knuteson,
Alfred Anderson, Chas. Hoverson, E.
M. Engebritson and Gates Phillips.
The following is synopsis of the evil
dence taken:
q. N. Alderman testified that he
first saw the body of Willie Severson
Tuesday at about 1890 o'clock, lying
in the Cobb river in the town of Medic,
with one elbow sticking up out of the
water. He was lying on one side. L
helped take him out of the water to
the shore. There were tracks leading
to the water, supposed to have been
made by the deceased. Did not see
any other tracks. His knife was
sticking in a stump at the place where
he went in.
5. e. Severson testified that he was
brother of the deceased. The latter
lived with me over a year, Saw him
alive about dusk last Sunday evening
DO not know of any reason why he
should have drowned himself. He
had not been feeling we'll for mum.
Der of years, but did not have to take
to his bed, He was about twenty
three years old. His father is dead,
but his mother still lives. Did not
notice anything strange in his actions.
He was here to supper last Sunday
evening and that was the last that 1
saw of him alive. Had noticed for
the last few days that he had not
been as cheerful as usual.
Anton Benson testified that he had |
known the deceased about five weeks. |
Have heard him say that he could not |
eat very much, for it would make him |
sick. Never heard him say that he
would do away with himself nor any
thing Of the kind. Never saw him
downhearted. He was more lively |
when l first came here than of late.
Saw him last alive on Sunday between
800 and 600 o'clock. Do not know
why he should go to the place where
his body was found.
Mrs. S. e. Severson testified that
she had known the deceased since he
was a small boy. He was usually
cheerful. Once in a while he would
not be as cheerful as at other times.
During the past winter he had made
complaints of not feeling well, and
visited doctor at Mapleton. He did
not act strangely, but seemed rather
quiet of late. He said that his
stomach troubled him at times.
The jury retired at about midnight I
and brought in the following verdict:
"That the deceased came to his death
by his own hands, by drowning him
self in the Little Cobb river in the
town of Medo." ~s,.~ -.
The funeral services were held
day.
His widowed mother and several
sisters live in Mapleton, and are heart
broken over the sad affair.
NEW lDnN PDInGE