DOUBLE TRAGEDY AT MISHICOTT
MISHICOTT, WIS., June 9, - Last Saturday afternoon the people of this
village were horrified by the report brought by a farmer that a terrible
deed had been done at the home of Mr. Peter Ploeckelman (sic) about 1
1/2 miles northwest of here. The story as developed at the inquest was
as follows:
Saturday afternoon two little boys were returning from a fishing bee and
heard the report of a firearm in the direction of Mr. Ploeckelman's
home. Hastening in that direction they found the body of the old man
lying in the road with the muzzle of the revolver still clasped in his
hand and pointing into his mouth. The terrified boys hurried home and
the neighborhood was soon assembled at the scene of what then appeared
only a case of suicide. Mr. Ploeckelman's wife was not seen, and as a
man had been immediately sent to this village, Constable Drews soon
arrived and an investigation disclosed the fact that it was a double
tragedy and not only suicide. Lying on the kitchen floor with her head
thrown backwards over the seat of a chair was Mrs. Ploeckelman, the
wife, shot through the right eye, the bullet lodging in the brain. The
inference is that the man shot his wife and then went out into the road
and shot himself. Their son Ferdin had gone to Manitowoc in the morning
and knew nothing of the deed until his arrival here.
District Attorney Shenian was called and Sheriff Muth also came up. A
jury was called and a verdict of murder and suicide was given. This
tragedy is the fourth that has taken place on the premises and all
connected with this family. It is known that Mr. Ploeckelman has for
some time lived on very bad terms with his wife and is said to have
frequently declared his intention of doing just what he has done.
Deceased was born in the province of Westphalia, Germany and is about 65
years of age. He was a farmer and has left one son who is still home and
three daughters all married. He lived on friendly terms with all his
neighbors and was in every sense a respectable and industrious man and
up to the present time highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Manitowoc Pilot Thursday, June 10, 1897 pg. 3

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[Peter/bur. 1897/age 61 yrs.]