The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1921-09-15
MINNESOTA man
MURDERS FAMILY
WATONWAN COUNTY BANKER
SUICIDES AFTESR COMMIT
TING TERRIBLE CRIME
VICTIMS CLOROfURMED FIRST
BULRLETS SSENT THROUGH
HEADS OF VICTIMS AS THEY
LAY IN STUPOR

Ormsby, MINI. Sept. 5-An entire
family of seven-the father, mother
and five children were found shot to
death in their home here late today,
apparently the victims OF the father'
Frank Klocow, prominent local bust
ness man. i
A woman going to make call DIS
covered the bodies shortly after a p.
M. but Coroner Thompson OF 81.
James concluded that they met deatn
between midnight and 1 a. m. sun
day.
Resides Klocow and Mrs. Klocow,
the dead are: 1872
Fred Klocow, 16 years old.
Myrtle Klocow, IA.
Glen Klocow, IL.
Oliver Klocow, 10.
Leland Klocow, 3.
All except the father has been shot
by a revolver as they lay in bed ana
there were indications that chloroform
had been used to numb their senses
before they were shot. The revolver
was found under Klocows left arm.
Coroner Thompson, after reviewing
the bodies and talking to nelghbors'
said he thought Klocow had killed ms
family and then himself. He has ask
ed County Attorney j. l.. Lopoeh
whether an inquest is necessary.
Klocow was 40 years old and until
six weeks ago was cashier OF tne
Farmers' State Bank of Ormsby, but
resigned for some unexplained reason. J
Not even the bank officials knew why
he quit, as he refused to give rea-
son. They declared his accounts
were in regular shape.
At p. m. today Mrs. Albert Sure
low went to the Klocow home to give
Mrs. Klocow the Sabbath school con.
+r;bntion of the Union church, OF
which Mrs. Klocow was treasurer.
Her knocks on the front door were
unanswered. Mrs. Strelow went 70
the rear of the house. 49,, II
The back door was open and on IL
was pinned a note, reading: wax
in" -.
Mrs. Strelow stepped into the ht-
chen. then into the living room, where
she saw the 14-year-old daugnter'
Myrtle, lying on cot dead. ohe +
was shot through the head.
Mrs. Strelow ran into the adJoln-
ing bedroom, and saw Klocow's body
living on bed, the face toward her.
In the bed with him was Mrs. Klo-
cow and the youngest child, Leland.
Mrs. Strelow ran from the house
to neighbors and notified the authorl-
ties.
The three older boys, Fred, Glen
and Oliver, were found in their beds
upstairs. The boys and Myrtle each
had been shot twice, as had also Mrs.
Klocow, while the baby and Klocow
each had been shot once.
On the floor were ten exploded
cartridges, and in the, five-chamber
revolver were two exploded shells. 1t
was apparent that Klocow har reload
ed his revolver twice as he went about
his gruesome task of dealing out
death to his family.
A letter was found on table, adj
dressed to Henry Klocow, brother
at Estherville, Iowa. Pending the
brothers arrival, funeral arrange
ments will be held in allegiance.
Neighbors thought the Klocow fam
lily had gone away Saturday night to
visit and did not plan to return until
late today, and consequently it was
not thought strange when no signs OF
life were seen about the house Sun
day.
On Saturday, Klocow had gone
about the town paying all his bills in
cash, although it was his custom to
use checks. One merchant remarked
on this, and Klocow responded:
"You are lucky to get your money
at all
That day at Z p. m. Klocow was
seen in the yard playing with his
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