The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-07-09
The Suicide of GotIeib Fischer,

Gottleib Fischer was found on Mon
day morning about mile north of the
boundary line half way between here
and Neche, with the top ct his head
blown off. The shot gun with which
the deed was done was lying clasped in
his arms as he lay on his back. He had
evidently been sitting when he fired the
gun and fell backward. A large part of
his brain lay several feet from the body
and other parts and skull bones were
scattered about, making a gruesome
sight.
He had been living on his farm about
eight or nine miles from this city with
his married daughter. Sunday morn
ing the daughter and son in law
went to church at Gretna to the chris
tening of the child ola nelghbor. About
noon, a neighbor Mennonite living across
the line called and left two hens that he
had borrowed for brooding purposes, and
sat down and talked with Fischer for a
half an hour or so. He says that Fis-
cher talked sensibly but seemed rather
restless. About two O'Clock Louis Lem
bike, another neighbor called and seeing
no one about went in and saw on the
table pocket book some papers and a
note. The note was written in German
and was to the effect that he, Fischer,
was of no further use, that he was tired
and that it would be better for all that
he should put himself out of the way.
That they should forgive him for the
trouble that he would make them and
that he should be buried as simply as
possible in a cheap coffin just as they
would find him and without any relig-
ious services. On the back of tie note
written in pencil he said the Mennonite
had returned the two hens.
Immediately on reading the note Mr..
Lembke,b phone and otherwise, notified
neighbors about and the people of Neche
and searching parties went out all the
afternoon and evening but no one saw
Fischer.
In the morning Mennonite living
across the line, heard of Fischer's disap.
pearance, and remembered that his chill
dren had told the evening before of see
ing man about an old granary near his
house, so party went there and found
the body. as told, a few feet away from
the old building in the grass. The night
before at IL o'clock Messrs. Louis Mort:
and A. j. McFadden had been at thu
same granary with a lantern and thor
oughly searched the same but saw moth
ing. The next morning after the bod,
was found they went again and found
pail turned upside down with a buncl
of hay on top where man had been sit
ting that was not there the night before
while ashes from a pipe scattered abou
indicated that Fischer was doubles
hiding from them at that time and afte
they had gone had fixed a comfortabl
seat and sat down and smoked for som
time before he finished his life.
The Canadian authorities were Motif
ed and the coroner decided that no in
quest was necessary and the body wa
brought to this city and entered by tn
, side of his wife who deid some two year
, ago.
, He leaves but the married daughte
of his immediate family to whom b
decided his farm of 240 acres besides
; large amount of personal property. H
had been resident of this county sine
1880.
Fischer was honest, hardworking an,
frugal and had amassed a comfortabl
competence, but was the victim of al
, ungovernable temper.
} Some Is years ago he was sentenced t
the penitentiary for ten years on
charge of attempted murder Of one o
his neighbors with whom he had quar-
. elled, but was pardoned after serving
four years. $3.50