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Submitted: 4/21/17 • Approved: 4/21/17 • Last Updated: 4/24/17 • R316293-G0-S3
The Creighton News 19 July 1908
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ATTEMPTED MURDER, SUCCESSFUL SUICIDE
Ferdinand August Bessert Attempts to Kill Wife
and Then Kills Self, Tragedy Ends Domestic Trouble
A terrible tragedy was enacted at the Ferdinand A. Bessert home four miles north of Winnetoon Tuesday morning about seven o'clock. A husband with an uncontrollable temper and a family quarrel, attempted murder of the wife and successful suicide of the husband tells the weird story.
Tuesday morning Mr. and Mrs. Bessert got in a dispute over what one of the boys should do during the day. Bessert became so enraged, he went upstairs, got his revolver and coming down threatened to annihilate the whole family.
The wife ran from the house to the gate, the husband following, as she passed through the gate, she stumbled and fell and at the same instant Bessert fired, but the bullet went wild. She was so frightened, she could not get up immediately and it was fortunate she did not.
Bessert supposing he had done his work well, passed out the gate over her prostrate body into the road, placed the muzzle of the revolver in his mouth and pulled the trigger. The bullet passed upwards through his head, death was instantaneous.
The neighbors were notified of the tragedy immediately and Coroner Kalar of Bloomfield telephoned for. He came immediately by auto and viewed the remains as he laid in the road.
Inquiry brought out the facts as above stated and it also developed that these family troubles were frequent and he had threatened to put an end to all of them many times.
He had an uncontrollable temper and was easily excited and when in this condition was to be feared by anyone who might cross his path.
Bessert was a prosperous farmer about 55 years old. A number of grown sons and daughters, besides his wife, survive him.
The funeral was held Wednesday from the home and burial made at Bazile Mills.
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Contributed on 4/21/17 by blplek
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Record #: 316293