The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1932-12-29
c.. E.. Ober
Ends Life By
Hanging Self
Deed Committed At Palmer
House Pool Hall Monday
At $50 P. M.
3 COMPANIONS NEAR BY
Remains Taken to Brewster,
Mimi, Early This Thurs
day for Burial

Monday was generally observed
as a Holiday by the business and
professional ment and citizens of
Sank Centre.
The calm serenity of peaceful
community was shocked about
$50 P. NJ, when word spread about
the city that Claud Eldon ODER,
proprietor of the Palmer House
Pool Hall, had deliberately brought
his early career to an inglorious
end by hanging.
Three of the regular patrons of
Mr.. Ober's place were enjoying a
quiet game of cards when Mr. Ober
stepped behind curtains put in place
some months ago to keep from view
the pool tables of the establishment
which were dismantled at the ex-
piration of the license July first.
1t had been the practice of Mr..
Ober to go back of the curtains
and lie down for a nap or rest.
When he left the group playing
cards nothing was thought of it.
Shortly after 500 o'clock Mr..
Ober's daughter brought his eve
ers within foot or two of the cur
tains lifted it aside to inform the
gentleman that his meal had arriv-
ed and was Mortified to see the
body of Mr.. Ober dangling in the
air with a rope around his neck,
dead.
Just how the deed could have
been accomplished without disturb
ing the card players is something
of a mystery.
Deputy Coroner DR.. A. F. Moy-
nihan was notified. He reported
promptly. "A careful diagnosis dis
closed that death was caused by
strangulation by Mr.. Ober's own
hand, clearly a case of suicide, and
a coroner's inquest was deemed
unnecessary.
Mr.. Ober and his family moved
to Sank Centre about five years
ago from Worthington, MINI. He
purchased the pool hall about two
and one-half years or so ago.
Business had not been the best of
late. The pool tables were removed
because they were not earning suf-
ficient revenue to pay the license.
He had been respondent for some
time prior to his death. It is said
that following the suicide by hang
ing of o. E. Miller a few weeks
ago, Mr.. ODER said to Sank Cen
ire business man: well, that's a
good way to CO." He may have
been considering his rash act even
at that time.
The deceased was a quiet, law
abiding citizen. His close COM
panions were not particularly num-
erous, but those who knew him
well state that he was a genial
companion.
Pringhar, Iowa, Jan. IL, 1888. He
grew to young manhood in Iowa.
March 8, 1911, he was united in
marriage to Miss Lena Gerdes. For
several years following their mar
riage Mr.. and Mrs. Ober resided at
Brewster and Worthington, MINI.
One daughter was born Of this
union, Miss Helen.
Besides the heartbroken wife and
daughter Mr., ODER is survived by
his aged mother, of Sedro Valley,
Wash; three brothers: Alfred e.
Ober, Worthington, Mimi; Lloyd ].
Ober, Harold r. Ober and one sis
ter, Mrs. leila Smith, all of Esther
vile, Iowa The father of the de-
ceased and one sister preceded him
in death.
The remains were taken to Brew
ster, Mimi, leaving Sank Centre
this Thursday morning at 500
o'clock. Funeral services were held
from the Community Presbyterian
church at 2:30 p. NJ