Well Known Nicollet Co.Farmer Left Home At Six O’clock.

——–

NEIGHBORS AID SONS IN SEARCH FOR FATHER

——–

Section Foreman Discovers

Body Lying Near Track

Early Saturday.

——–

“Suicide by meeting a railway train” was the verdict given by Dr. J. G. Daniels coroner of Nicollet county, after an investigation made in the tragic death of Henry Wrede, Sr., well known farmer of Bernadotte township which occurred Friday night. Mr. Wrede was struck by the Minneapolis & St. Louis passenger train which arrives in New Ulm at 8:55 in the evening, and every bone in his body was broken. One arm, one leg and a hand were severed from the body. The skull was torn away and the neck was broken and partially torn from the shoulders.

Believed To Have Been Lost

No motive can be given for the accident which caused the death of Mr. Wrede. He had been in his usual good spirits thruout the day Friday. After supper the sons, who lived on the farm with him, went out to milk. Wrede told them that he would not be able to help them milk that night because he had fallen and hurt his hand. His sons assured him that they could get the chores done alright and for him to go to the house. After completing their chores the sons returned to the house and discovered the absence of their father. Immediately they started to look for him and when he could not be located about the farm, they called in their neighbors to help in the search. Until after three o’clock in the morning the posse of men searched far and wide for the missing man.

Wandered In Corn

Field Last Fall

It will be remembered that last fall Mr. Wrede lost his glasses when he climbed a fence on his own farm and got lost. For a period of four days he wandered about in the corn field, bewildered as to where he was as he could not see to find his way out. He lived on green corn picked from the field and when found he was exhausted and suffered for many weeks from exposure and his trying experience.

How he happened to wander away from his home and what led him to the right of way of the Minneapolis and St. Louis railroad, will never be known. His body was found Saturday morning at eight o’clock by the section foreman, who had started out for his day’s work. The body was lying along side the track, half way between Klossner and Lafayette Reports of the accident reached members of the family who identified the mangled body as that of the missing man. Officials were called to the scene and a thoro investigation was made. It was unnecessary to hold an inquest and the coroner gave his verdict.

Necrology

Henry Wrede was born December 16,1854 in Hanover, Germany, and had passed his 71st birthday. He came to America when he was 28 years old and in May 1882, he came to Nicollet county where he located on the farm which he later purchased. July 27, 1889 he was united in marriage with Miss Mathilda Rinkel, who survives him. They took up their residence on the farm where the family still resides. Seven children were born to this union, one of whom preceded the father in death. Those who survive are, Henry, Herbert, Marie and Albert, all at home; Mrs. Helena Ross, Elgin, Ill., and Mrs. Walter Wallin of Chicago. One sister, Mrs. Anton Baar of this city also mourns. There are also three grandchildren surviving.

Funeral services were held this (Wednesday) afternoon at 1:30 o’clock from Forster’s Undertaking chapel and at 2 o’clock from the Frieden’s church, Rev. Emil Sans, officiating. Interment was made in the City cemetery. All of the children were home for the last rites.

New Ulm Review,

Feb. 24, 1926

————————