(Photo-Caption: Herman Man Shoot Son, Then Self. Dies Tuesday. Here are members of the Hans Hansen family who escaped when Hansen shot his son, Carroll, 4, to death and fatally wounded himself. Left to Right: Lillian, Mrs. Hans Hansen, baby Wayne and Lyle.)

Double Tragedy Ends Life Of Terror For Wife, Children

Hans Hansen, Crazed by Drink, Commits Crime as Wife Flees As a climax to a three days’ drunk, Hans Hansen 45 early Tuesday shot and killed his 4-year-old son, Carroll, and then inflicted fatal wounds upon himself. The tragedy occurred at the Hansen home in Herman, 10 miles from Blair as Sheriff Marion Sutherland was on his way from Blair to arrest Hansen after Mrs. Hansen had called from a hotel in Herman where she had taken refuge and asked for protection.

Coming home after his prolonged debauch, Hansen is said to have threatened his wife. Taking her infant baby, Mrs. Hansen fled, going to the hotel where she called Sheriff Sutherland.

Meanwhile Hansen had taken a .22 caliber rifle and had gone to his son’s bedroom. The boy, who had a severe attack of pneumonia last winter, was deaf and partially blind. Apparently he raised an arm to defend himself. The bullet went through his elbow and into his heart. Hansen then shot himself. Half an hour later Sheriff Sutherland arrived. Carroll died as he was being carried into Court View hospital in Blair. Hansen died shortly after noon on the same day.

Hansen had been working on a WPS project at the Blair court house until the pickup of business allowed him to resume work as a carpenter contractor. He had been a periodical drinker friends said, and had caused trouble on previous occasions although he had never been arrested.

Hansen shot himself twice, one of the bullets entering his side.

Mrs. Hansen and the baby were being cared for by neighbors. She almost collapsed upon hearing of the tragedy.

There were six other children in the Hansen home when the tragedy occurred. Neighbors said the father idolized the child he slew and it was believed he decided in his drink-crazed mind to take the boy with him when he made up his mind to take his own life.

In composed tones, Mrs. Hansen said she blamed her husband’s companions for the death of their son. She told how he had come to Herman seven years ago, never having touched a drop of liquor. Two years later, she had left him with her family and returned only on his promise that he would give up drinking. For more than a year, Hansen kept his promise and then slipped back into the old life.

The grieving woman traces Tuesday night’s tragedy to the death two years ago of a daughter, year-old Lona Jean. Hansen grieved continuously. Then his favorite son, Carroll, came down with a siege of double pneumonia and emerged stone deaf. Hansen’s drinking increased and Saturday night he went on a prolonged drinking bout. That night he met Herman Marshall O. L. Hilsinger on the street and told him that he was going home to kill his entire family. Hilsinger dissuaded him and Hansen went on his way. He was not seen again until he appeared home Tuesday night and began quarreling with his wife. Mrs. Hansen seized her youngest child, 3-month-old daughter and ran to the hotel a half block away where she called Sheriff Marion Sutherland of Blair.

Meanwhile Hansen had pulled down the window shades, shot his son to death and pumped two bullets into his own body. Upstairs in the home, Lyle, 6 and Lilian 10, were aroused by the shots. They were afraid to come down until the sheriff appeared on the scene.

#2-9 July, 1936 - The Enterprise Double funeral services were held at the Legion hall Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock for Hans Hansen, 47 years old and his son, Carroll, aged 4. Rev. T. J. Reese of Blair, assisted by Rev. R. B. E. Hill officiated. A quartette composed of Fred Robertson, L. D. Long, C. R. Gray and Roland West sang several numbers. Mrs. L. V. Ackerman accompanied them. Burial was made in the Herman cemetery. A large crowd attended the services.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave # 98520523