Mrs. Ernest H. Breitsprecher Ends Her Life
Despondent because of an incurable ailment, Mrs. Mabel Breitsprecher, 37, of Everly, wife of Ernest H. Breitsprecher, receiver of five national banks in this section, ended her own life Wednesday morning, July 24, by firing a revolver bullet through her heart.
The suicide was committed in the garage at the rear of the Breitsprecher home at about 9:30 o'clock. An attempt at suicide Tuesday by taking an overdose of a sleeping potion had been unsuccessful, although she slept throughout the day and night and did not awake until Wednesday morning.
Then, arising from her bed, she secured the revolver which had been missing from its accustomed place and which she had apparently secreted for ready use. She went directly to the garage, it is believed, and fired the bullet into her heart. Death was probably instantaneous.
Found by Niece
The body was found by Mrs. Breitsprecher's niece, Myrna Meyers, 14, who had come to her aunt's house to be with her while Miss Margaret Breitsprecher, sister-in-law of the dead woman, went to the Evans and Breitsprecher general store to make purchases.
Mrs. Breitsprecher had been under constant observation for the past year because of threats to do away with herself, and this was especially true since the Tuesday attempt.
Mrs. Breitsprecher seemed considerably improved in her mental condition when she awoke Wednesday morning after the lengthy sleep and appeared happy when Miss Breitsprecher left to go down to the store.
On the way downtown, Miss Breitsprecher stopped at the Meyers home to ask Myrna to go to the house and stay there until she returned.
Sent Daughter Away
In the meantime, Mrs. Breitsprecher sent her daughter, Virginia, 8, to the store to ask Miss Breitsprecher to return.
Between the time her daughter left and the time her niece arrived, the women rose from her bed, took the gun from its hiding place and going to the garage, sent a bullet through her heart.
When found she was barefoot and scantily clad.
Neighbors Hear Shot
Two neighbors, Mrs. Bertha Baker and Mrs. C. M. Cronk, heard the shot, but believed it was merely a car back-firing.
Miss Meyers, arriving at the home, failed to find her aunt in the house. A search of the grounds revealed her body in the garage.
The screams of Miss Meyers aroused the town.
Dr. J. M. Sokol, coroner, called to the scene, pronounced the death suicide and said no inquest was necessary.
Husband at Sioux Rapids
Mr. Breitsprecher was at Sioux Rapids at the time of his wife's death. He is receiver for banks in Sioux Rapids, Marathon, Pocahontas and Cherokee, headquartering out of Sioux Rapids.
He formerly had been in charge of the liquidation of only the Marathon bank, but several weeks ago was given the receivership of the four additional banks by the comptroller of the treasury.
Born Near Everly
Mabel Breitsprecher was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Dehrkoop of Everly and was born on a farm two miles north of that town on December 26, 1897.
Her early education was received in the schools in her community and in the Everly high school of which she was a graduate. She taught in the rural schools of Waterford township and later assisted in the Everly bank.
On September 3, 1919, she was united in marriage with Ernest H. Breitsprecher, also of Everly but formerly of Riceville, Iowa. They were the parents of one child, a daughter, Patricia, born July 18, 1927.
Failing Health
Mrs. Breitsprecher had been in failing health for the past two years and brooded over her condition.
She is survived by her husband, daughter, and her parents. There is also a surviving sister, Mrs. Annie Meyers, two brothers, Louis and Fred Dehrkoop, all of Everly, and numerous other relatives and a host of friends who were saddened by her sudden death.
Funeral services are to be held at the home Friday, July 26, at two o'clock in the afternoon and interment will be in the Lone Tree cemetery.
Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; July 26, 1935
Contributor: Sharon Hesebeck (47825781) •