FARMER WHO TRIED TO CREMATE SELF DIES AT CROSBY

Crosby, N. D., March 20.—Ben P. Wallen, the farmer who attempted to cremate himself in his own home near Fortuna while in a demented condition and wishing to avoid arrest by the authorities, died in this city a few days after the ordeal. Everything possible to relieve the suffering of the man was done, but as he was 35 miles from a physician at the time he was burned and as it was necessary to drive that entire distance by team on a cold day before attention could be given him, he gradually grew worse until the end came.

Wallen was one of the early homesteaders in this county, and farmed extensively for several years. He was thought to be in fairly comfortable circumstances.

Grand Forks Herald, 3/20/1920
Permalink

WOMAN DIES ON WAY FROM MASS

Fargo, N. D., March 30.—Mrs. A. C. Gorman of Regina, Sask., dropped dead in the deLendrecie building {sp} yesterday morning. The cause of death is not known.

Mrs. Gorman arose early to attend mass and was on her way home when death overtook her. She was found lying on the floor of the building by friends and carried into a nearby flat. Before medical aid could be summoned she died.

Mrs. Gorman came to Fargo a few weeks ago for her health. She had been ailing and the physicians of Reginia {sp} advised a change of climate on account of her extremely nervous condition. Her health seemed to improve while in Fargo and there was no expectation of her sudden demise nor had her friends any intimation that she was not in the best of health when she left for church in the morning.

Her husband is a prominent implement man in Regina and is expected to arrive in Fargo Tuesday morning. There are no other immediate relatives. The family formerly resided in Ontario where the husband was in business, later removing to Regina.

Mrs. Gorman was not yet 30 years old.

Grand Forks Herald, 3/30/1914
Permalink

KRAMER FARMER BRUTALLY MURDERED

Wm. Abbetson, a Country Butcher, Arrested—Confesses to the Horrible Crime—Body Found in Hay Stack.

One of the most brutal murders ever committed in Bottineau county has just been unearthed at Kramer, when the body of F. W. Schroeder, one of the oldest and most prosperous farmers of Kramer, was found on top of a hay stack near his farm home by W. Abbetson and H. Geryets. The man had been beaten about the head with an axe, and there were several bullet holes thru {sp} the body. The track of a sleigh was seen leading to the hay stack, so the authorities concluded that the deed had been done by a local party or parties. After making a careful investigation, Abbetson was arrested, and he confessed to the crime. He declared that he had struck Schroeder over the head with an axe, afterwards shooting him several times with a rifle. He then placed the body in a sleigh and hauled it over a marsh to the hay stack. To avoid suspicion, he proposed hauling hay from the stack where the body was found a day or so after the murder was committed. Abbetson is in jail. He does not consider that he has done anything of a very serious nature, and thinks he will be out as soon as his farmer friends can arrange bail. The man is undoubtedly of a weak mind, and the defense will no doubt be insanity.

Abbetson's sleigh was covered in blood and Schroeder's watch and other effects were found on Abbetson's person.

Schroeder was a wealthy bachelor and lived alone on his far. Robbery may have been a motive for the crime.

Ward County Independent, 2/23/1911
Permalink

Death's Harvest.

A shocking accident occurred on one of the side tracks in front of the section house last Saturday about noon which resulted in the death, that night, of Alfred Noren. The young man was employed as a section hand and in coming from his dinner attempted to cross the track in front of a moving engine, when he slipped and fell before he could get out of the way and the engine passed over both legs below the knee and mashed them in a horrible manner. The young man was picked up and carried into the section house and surgical aid summoned. Drs. Stickney and McDonald soon arrived and amputated both legs, one above and the other below the knee and did all in their power to save the young man's life, but the shock was too great and death relieved him of his sufferings during the night. The funeral took place last Monday, Rev. Martlett conducted the services and the fellow workmen of Mr. Noran acted as pall bearers. The young man was a Swede, born in that country, when his parents still reside and at the time of his death was in his 23rd year. He was well liked by all who knew him and a young mean of steady habits.

The Dickinson Press, 3/2/1889
Permalink

LOST LARGE SUM AND SUICIDES

J. J. THOMPSON OF JAMESTOWN SHOT HIMSELF THRU HEART AT WAVERLY HOTEL BECAUSE HE LOST THOUSANDS ON PATENT.

J. J. Thompson of Jamestown, N. D., killed himself at Room 14 of the Wavery hotel at 6:30 o'clock Friday, during a fit of despondency. He had locked the door, and holding a .38 calibre revolver to his breast, put a bullet thru {sp} his heart, dying almost instantly. The body fell against the door and with a thud struck the floor, the noise being heard by the housekeeper, who notified the proprietor, Reinhardt Reiersen. The door was broken open and the man was found dead, in a pool of blood. The remains were taken to an undertaker's and forwarded to Jamestown, where a wife and child reside.

Thompson came to Minot Jan. 11 and spent most of his time since at his room at the Waverly, occasionally going to the lobby. He represented the Jewell Nursery Co., and had been trying to sell a shipment of trees for the Normal school campus. It is said that he had been trying to put a patent on the market, in which he was unsuccessful, losing several thousand dollars. This, it is believed, caused his temporary insanity.

He was last seen alive at "Dad's Restaurant," an hour before killing himself, when he ate a hearty meal. Mr. Marsh says he acted like a demented man, severely upbraiding a number of prominent Minot citizens for fancied wrongs. He grew so abusive that the employes at the restaurant turned away. He went immediately to his room and committed the rash deed.

Mr. Thompson was about 50 years of age and a fine looking man and had always been regarded very highly by everyone who met him here.

Ward County Independent, 3/11/1915
Permalink

Kicked By Horse

A young son of Haakon Eidet, residing north of Plaza, was kicked in the face by a horse tearing a portion of the scalp back over his head. It required seven stitches by Dr. Filler of Plaza to close the wound. The boy is getting along nicely.

Ward County Independent, 12/22/1921
Permalink