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Surnames: Klingebiehl, Peters, Engel
Classification: Death
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/5d.2ADI/1371.1
Message Board Post:
The Payette Independent
Payette, Idaho
Thursday, December 9, 1926
JUMPS IN FRONT OF FAST MAIL TRAIN
WILL H. KLINGEBIEHL ENDS LIFE SATURDAY NIGHT AND MANGLED BODY IS FOUND BY SECTION MEN SET
OUT AFTER SCATTERED BRAINS WERE FOUND ON ENGINE PILOT
When the fast mail train No. 5, which passes through Payette at 6:40 p. m., reached
Huntington Saturday night, human brains, a piece of human skull and a small piece of
wearing apparel were found on the engine pilot. A search of the railroad yards there was
made, but failed to reveal any signs of the accident. Word was then wired along the line
and section hands were sent out from the various stations in search of the unfortunate
victim.
The crew sent out from Payette came on to a gruesome sight near the Washoe bridge which
told the story of what had happened. There the torso of a man's body was found and a
further search revealed the legs and scattered portions of the remains. The body had been
cut squarely in two just above the hips, and the arms and legs were badly mangled.
County coroner, I. H. Adair, was summoned and after looking over the ground, and
consulting County Attorney Keller, it was decided that it was a case of suicide and that
an inquest was unnecessary. The remains were gathered up and brought to the Peterson
Undertaking Parlors where the body was held for identification. No clue was discovered
until Monday when it was discovered that Will H. Klingebiechl, whose home is on the west
side, had not been seen for a day or two and neighbors became suspicious that it was him.
Mr. Adair was notified and made a search of the premises and found a note which showed
that he had contemplated ending his life, the note said:
"I have a brother, Martin Klingebiehl, at Ashton, Illinois, a sister, Mrs. John
Peters, at Holstein, Iowa, a second sister, Mrs. Frank Engel, at Brookfield, Nebraska, a
niece, Miss Mary Peters, at Temple Hotel, Pocatello, Idaho. Nothing more to live for.
Born November 27, in Germany."
With this evidence at hand two or three friends who were well acquainted with the
unfortunate man and familiar with his dress, went to the undertaking parlors and made the
identification positive, although the face was almost crushed into a pulp. Telegrams were
at once sent to the relatives, and the brother at Ashton, Illinois replied that it would
be impossible for him to be here. The niece at Pocatello, Miss Peters, arrived Tuesday
afternoon and took charge of funeral arrangements. The other relatives were not heard
from but doubtless communicated with the brother who did wire his inability to be
present.
Neighbors report that Mr. Klingebiehl had been monrose since his wife died a year or so
ago, and say that he could not carry on a conversation for any length of time without
referring to her death and his loneliness. It is evident that his suicide had been
planned for some time, as he remarked to one of them the next day after election, when
results were being discussed, that it made no difference to him as he did not expect to be
here when the successful candidates were installed. He spent last Friday evening with Mr.
and Mrs. Carstens, and although they tried to avoid talking about his dead wife, he
brought up the subject and was crying when he left for his home. They recall that he bade
them goodbye rather than just goodnight and they now know that he did not expect to see
them again.
Will Klingebiehl was a man of splendid education, being a graduate of Cornell college at
Mount Vernon, Iowa, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. among his efforts were
found several grade teacher's certificates and he is known to have taught school in
Iowa for several years. He was a good neighbor and friend, but the death of his wife had
preyed upon his mind until he evidently just gave up and decided to end it all.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Evangelical church, Rev. Huhn
officiating, and a large number of sorrowing friends followed the remains to their last
resting place in Riverside cemetery.
Note: Name is KLINGEBIEHL