The Mankato free press., 1921-09-09
tragedy reached him this afternoon.
Died Without Struggle

died without any great struggle as
they we're all partly covered with
bed clothes. The four older children
each received two shots through the
head as did the wife and mother while
a single shot ended the lives OF the in
FAINT son and the husband and father.
A letter addressed to Klocow's
brother, Henry of Estherville, Iowa,
was found on the dresser in the bed
room occupied by Klocow and his wife
and he was Immediately notified but
had not reached Ormsby when the re.
porter left the village. klocow's
shape shape and his family relations were were
pleasant. He is reported to have
been in ill health and 1t is believed
that this resulted in temporary insan-
ity, during which he committed the
horrible act.
There is considerable mystery as to
how the entire family was murdered
and none apparently were awakened
by the shots fired, and tits suggested
that the family may have been first
chlorcformed and then shot as it would
seem that some member or members
Of the family would have been aroused
but q visit to the death chambers re-
veals no sign of a struggle in any ln'
stance, the wife and mother and each
of the five children lying in pool OF
blood, but apparently having died as
they slept. Klocow himself must
have crept into bed beside the body
of his murdered wife and there fired
the shot that ended his own career.
Klocow spent portion OF Saturday
paying a number of bills which he was
owing. He appeared to be in his US
ual frame Of wind.
N The letter addressed to Henry klo-
cow, Estherville, was opened by the
coroner. The message was brief. 1t
said in effect that he hated to do
what he did, but could see no other
way out of it. He did not want his
ed his brother to look in a dresser
drawer and he would find pocket
book which contained a promissory
note for $250Q. This note had been
given ,Kloco% in payment for his
stock i'll the bank. Also $3.50 in cur
rency was found in the pocket book.
He Reloaded Revolver.
! On the floor were ten exploded
cartridges, and in the five chamber re-
unexploded shells. 1t was apparent
that Klocow had reloaded his revolv-
er twice as he went about his grue-
some task Of dealing out death to his
family. -
Neighbors thought the Klocow
family had gone away Saturday. night
to visit and did not plan to return un-
til late today, and consequently 1t 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're lucky to get your money
at ALL
That day about seven p. m. Klocow
was seen in the yard, playing with his
youngest child, and Mrs. Klocow was
ironing in the kitchen. -.
i 1t developed last night that a neigh
Dor, Arnold Ingold, whose home is
about 200 feet from the Klocow home
tween twelve and one a. m. Sunday
but thought it was jewellers on their
way home from a dance here. 1t was
Ion Ingold's information and the con
| dition of the bodies that the coroner
placed the time of their death.
Await Funeral Arrangements.
/ Funeral arrangements for the family
/ of Frank Klocow, who, according tC
the investigations Of the Watonwa1
county coroner, shot and killed his
wife and children and that the only
himself some time Saturday night OF
!, Sunday morning, will not be com
pleted until the arrival Of relatives
' from North Dakota. -r..
Word was received here today thai
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Magnus, parents
; of Mrs. Klocow, left their home II
Sterling, N. D., last night for Ormsby
and will arrive here sometime tomor
row. Until their arrival Henry Klo
cow, brother of Frank, will delay &C.
ton.
A possible motive for killing hi.
entire family and himself was de.
knew Frank Klocow well said he hat
BEEN beset for some time with the
fearthat he was a victim of tuber.
culosis.
It is believed that he feared the ill.
ness had been communicated to hi
wife and childre nand that ths on1!
manner in which he could reliev,
destruction of his entire family.
kIocow Was In Poor Health
Mr.. Klocow had been In poor healtl
for some months. He became so baC
. that he had. to resign as cashier o
the bank some six months ago. The
state Of his health unbalanced hi!
mind and it is evident that while IL
period of mental depression HI
committed the rash deed. He was IL
: |
county fair with his family. II /!
stated tina he was very much worked
D up over the dropping of a dummy from
the airplane, and came near collapsin,
? from excitement and exhaustion.
3 He was a man aDeout forty tiv'
3 years of age. He was married abou
eighteen years ago to a daughter o
Peterson agnus, now of Sterling n
5 Dakota. To them five children haV'
D been born, all of whom were killed II
4 the terrible tragedy. The Oldest bo.
Y attended the st James high schoo
r last year and was here last Frida.
l making arrangements to attend thi
year. There were three boys and tive
D girls in the family. The second chile
u, was a girl fourteen years Of age.
Patrolman Peter Wettestad Of tn,
Mankato police department was in
timately acquainted with Mr.. Klocow
81 was formerly engaged in bushes!
in Ormsby," said Mr.. Wettestad today
"and transacted business at the banl
of which Mr.. Klocow was cashier. HI
was one Of the finest>men I evel
/ knew. He was man of quiet dis
position, but kind Of heart and de
: voted to his family. He came tt