1- printed in The Enterprise, Sept. 8, 1932

FIND BODY OF KENNARD MAN

The body of Harry Japp, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Japp, who reside three-quarters of a mile north of Kennard, was found hanging from a tree one-half mile east of the Japp farm home Saturday morning. It was believed young Japp had taken his own life.

Discovery of the body was made by other children of the family who were rounding up horses. Officials in Blair were notified and drove to Kennard to investigate.

Japp had not been home since Thursday of last week but no alarm was felt because of his absence. It was believed by members of his family that he was working on a neighboring farm, so no search had been instituted for him. How long he had been dead is not known.

No reason for the apparent suicide could be attributed by the family, unless his brooding over failure to find steady employment had caused his act. He had seemed in as good spirits as usual when last seen.

Young Japp had resided on the farm in Kennard all his life. Surviving are his parents; six brothers, Henry, Burton, George, Elmer, August, Jr., and Wilmer; and five sisters, Mrs. Anna Kromberg, Laura, Elsie, Carrie and Ruby.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at ten o'clock from the home north of town and interment was made in the Kennard cemetery.

2- printed in the Pilot-Tribune, Sept. 8, 1932

KENNARD YOUTH, 19, TAKES OWN LIFE

HARRY JAPP HANGS SELF FROM LIMB OF TREE NEAR HOME

Suspended from the limb of a tree on a creek bank with his feet several inches from the ground, the body of Harry Japp, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. August Japp of Kennard was discovered by two of his younger brothers early Saturday morning. His death was a clear case of suicide, authorities said after an investigation.

Young Japp left his parents' home about seven o'clock last Wednesday evening, August 31, presumably to visit a neighbor.

No alarm was felt when he failed to return home that night or next day but by Friday, his parents became worried, although they thought he might have met acquaintances and volunteered to help them with their farm work for a few days.

Early Saturday, Harry's younger brothers were sent to a pasture to drive home a team of horses and while returning they walked along the creek bank and discovered the body. It was brought to a Blair undertaker.

It is thought that young Japp went to the creek immediately after leaving his parents' home and threw a rope over a limb of a tree that hung out over the creek, at a spot about three-fourths of a mile from his parents' home. Apparently he then stood on a root that protruded about a foot from the ground, tied a slip-knot in the rope, put it around his neck and jumped. Remaining exposed to the weather for more than 60 hours, his body was in a bad state of decomposition when discovered.

No reason is known for the youth's suicide, his parents say. He was an extremely quiet boy, had few close friends and had been involved in no difficulties. Harry was regular in his habits and a hard worker, they add, and neighbors frequently called upon him to help them with their work. According to neighbors, he is never known to have accepted money for this work although he was offered pay on numerous occasions, always declaring that he was glad to help out a friend.

Harry was born near Kennard and attended school there. His parents live on a farm a helf-mile directly north of town. The vicinity of the creek in which his body was found is seldom visited by the Japps or by any of their neighbors and they say that if the younger brothers had not discovered the body accidentally, it might have remained there a week or more.

Funeral services were held at the Japp home at ten o'clock Monday morning, with Rev. E.P. Booher officiating. Burial was made in the Kennard cemetery. His parents; six brothers, Henry Japp, Beatrice; George, Elmer, Lester, August, Jr., and Wilmer, all of whom live at home; and five sisters, Mrs. Anna Kronberg, Denison, Iowa; Laura, Elsie, Ruby and Carrie, survive him.