CARL SUVERKRUBBE COMMITS SUICIDE

PROMINENT FARMER, 37, KILLS SELF WITH SHOTGUN

Washington county residents, particularly those in the southern part of the county, were shocked Monday morning to learn of the suicide of Carl Suverkrubbe, 37 years old, who for several years had been farming the place a half-mile south of the Wranch school, once occupied by his parents, now both dead. He was unmarried.

Steady, reliable and a hard worker, Mr. Suverkrubbe’s death came as a surprise to relatives and friends and none were able to advance any reason for the man’s act. He had no financial difficulties, they told Sheriff Marion Sutherland and Deputy Bill Gustin, who were called to the farm to conduct an investigation shortly after the body was found Monday. They were agreed with relatives that it was a clear case of suicide.

According to information given officers, Mr. Suverkrubbe had been living alone for a time on the home place, although it was his custom to take most of his meals at an adjoining farm owned and operated by his brother Henry. He had been away from home a greater part of Sunday and upon his return Sunday evening Henry Suverkrubbe is said to have sent his children over to Carl Suverkrubbe’s farm.

The children found their uncle at work in the farm yard and returned to their home after talking with him for a short time. It was the last time Carl was seen alive and authorities were not able to determine definitely when he shot himself. They believe, however, that he killed himself between six and seven o’clock Sunday evening and that the body was not discovered until Monday, when Henry visited his brother’s farm.

Carl Suverkrubbe, local officers were told, had attended the funeral of Otto Kruse at Ft. Calhoun a few days previously and had commented on the fact that “it was a shame Mr. Kruse had seen fit to take his life.” He had never intimated that he intended to do so also.

In killing himself, Mr. Suverkrubbe used exactly the same method as used by Mr. Kruse, placing the butt of the gun on the ground, bending over it with the barrels against his body and discharging it with a yardstick. Only one of the shells exploded, although the triggers of both had been snapped. The body was found about six feet from the residence on the farm.

Carl Suverkrubbe, who was unmarried, is survived by six brothers, all but one of them residents of Washington County. They are Albert of Calhoun; Otto of South Dakota; Henry and Gus who live in the neighborhood of the original Suverkrubbe farm; William and Julius.

Sheriff Sutherland directed that the body be taken to Bennington and funeral services were held there Wednesday.

#2-23 June, 1932 - The Enterprise COUNTY FARMER A SUICIDE Carl Suverkrubbe, residing a mile south of the Wranch school was found dead in the yard of his home early last Monday morning. Death was caused by self inflicted wounds of a shotgun which lay near by. He had apparently died some time during Sunday evening, and was found early Monday morning by a neighbor. Deceased was 37 years old, and resided on the Suverkrubbe home place. He had never married. He left a note addressed to relatives, but gave no reason for his act.

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

FindaGrave #102343439