Note: in these obituaries, there are several spellings. However, the tombstone in Fort Calhoun has Henry Schmuck.

Henry Schmock 25 Aug. 1916

Pilot Blair, Nebraska

The body of Henry Schmock was found just outside the back door of his residence in Ft. Calhoun at about 9:30 Monday morning . He evidently had taken Paris Green and had gone outside when he became sick, where he died. He was alone at the time, his wife being in Omaha on a visit. He was married the second time not very long ago and they seemed very happy together, but there had been some legal matters he was worrying about, which may have temporarily deranged his mind. The funeral will be held at the church today at 2:30, Rev. Brittell officiating. Besides his wife he leaves four children by a former marriage, George Benck, of Ft. Calhoun township, Henry Benck, of Blair twp and Mrs. Will Japp, of Kennard. He was 62 years of age and had always been an honest, hardworking man. He farmed just west of Ft. Calhoun for a number of years. Burial will be made in the Ft. Calhoun cemetery.

Henry Schumck Kills Self 25 Aug. 1916 Enterprise, Blair, Nebraska

Highly Respected Citizen of Calhoun

In passing Henry Schmuck’s house at Fort Calhoun Monday forenoon George Ketchmark saw Schmuck sitting outside the house, with only a shirt on, tilted back against the side of the building and called the attention of H.A. Procknow, Schmuck’s neighbor across the street, to his position and when they investigated they found that he was dead. On closer inspection it was found that he had evidently committed suicide by eating paris-green which was found around his mouth, moustache and hands and on the doorsteps. His pants, belt and a ring were lying on the ground nearby as though he had removed them after coming out of the house where a quantity of the poison was found in a cup on the table. His knees were badly lacerated as if he had been crawling around on them and his face and neck were scratched by his finger-nails and the indications were that he had taken the fatal dose sometime during the night and had been dead several hours when discovered. Coroner Pierce was summoned and upon investigation came to the conclusion that it was so evidently a case of premeditated suicide that an inquest was unnecessary.

Deceased was married last May, his first wife having died some two years ago and his wife was away from home when the deed was committed. Since his recent marriage a former housekeeper had instituted suit against him for breach of promise of marriage and this is given as the cause for the rash deed.

He was a native of Hamburg, Germany, born February 17, 1853, and came to this country, settling near Calhoun, when 20 years of age. His first marriage occurred 37 years ago to a Mrs. Benck and to them was born one child, now Mrs. August Japp, wife of a prominent farmer near Kennard. His second marriage to Mrs. Bertha Jenkins, who had three children, occurred the 3rd. of last May.

Rev. Brittell conducted the funeral service at the late home of the deceased on Wednesday last at 2:30 P.M. and the remains were interred in the Fort Calhoun cemetery.

Henry Schmuck Commits Suicide 30 Aug 1916 Tribune Blair, Nebraska

While making his rounds with his delivery wagon Monday morning at about 10 o’clock George Ketchmark saw Henry Schmuck clothed only in a shirt, sitting propped against the east side of his house. George called Henry Procknow across the street and on investigating they found that Schmuck was dead. His moustache, mouth and hands were powdered with dry paris green, and from the steps at the east side of the house to the place where the body was found was spotted with the same poison. Lying near the man’s body were his trousers, belt and a heavy ring. It is supposed that he removed these in his struggles caused by the agonizing pain. His neck and face were scratched by his finger nails, and his knees were raw from crawling over the ground. It is supposed he took the poison about midnight Sunday, as neighbors observed a light moving rapidly from room to room shortly after 10 o’clock and the body indicate death had taken place 5 or 6 hours when found, or at about 4 or 5 o’clock. After viewing the body and making a search of the house Coroner Pierce decided that it was a plain case of suicide. Nothing was found to indicate a cause for the deed nor any message to relatives or friends. He was alone at the time, his wife and two children being out of town. They returned Monday evening unaware of the tragedy until informed of it upon reaching the house. It is reported that a suit recently filed against Mr. Schmuck by a former housekeeper is responsible in a large degree for his rash act.

Henry Schmuck was born in Hamburg, Germany, Febr. 17, 1853, being 63 years, 6 months and 4 days old at the time of his death. He came to America when 20 years of age, locating near Ft. Calhoun, living on a farm until a little over three years ago, when he moved to Calhoun. He was married thirty-seven years ago to Mrs. Benck, who died two years ago. To them was born a daughter, Mrs. Gus Japp, now living near Kennard. He was married on May 3, 1916, to Mrs. Bertha Jenkins, and she together with three of his step-children survive him.

Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Brittell, were held in the residence Wednesday afternoon and interment made in the Calhoun Cemetery.—Calhoun Chronicle.

Henry Schmuck Suicides 23 August 1916 Tribune

Henry Schmuck, an old resident of Ft. Calhoun, committed suicide on last Sunday night by eating paris-green.

Mr. Schmuck, whose wife was away from home, was found, on Monday morning by a passerby, leaning against the side of his house and on examination was found to be dead.

County Attorney George A. Doll was notified and in company with Coroner Pierce went down to ascertain, if possible, the cause.

On examination it was determined that the deceased had eaten paris-green. A bag of the poison was found and his lips showed unmistakable signs of what he had done as also did a basin of water from which he had taken a drink as well as places where he had vomited.

The case was so plainly suicide that the officers saw no reason for calling for an inquest.

No direct cause is given for the action but hints are made of family discord.

The funeral was held today and 2:30 p.m. from the house.

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

Find a Grave Memorial # 18176509