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 - June 10, 1897 (page 3)