HEADSTONE says daughter.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 22 1931 "Broken Troth Called Motive In Love Deaths: Sweetheart's Cool Love Led To Double Killing, Belief"
Reconstructing the events which led Tuesday afternoon to the fatal shooting of Miss Karina Takala, 20 year old Iron River girl, and Waino Koponen, 21, her betrothed, police officers yesterday laid the motive to a broken love pledge and abandoned all theories that the two entered into a death pact.
Supporting this conclusion was the story of Karina's mother, who held in her possession her daughter's engagement ring, a gift from Koponen last January which she wore infrequently and in recent days not at all.
"Karina liked Waino, of course, but she was not sure of herself," sobbed her mother to friends."She talked of the affair to me but I told her she was old enough to decide for herself. Lately she decided not to marry and instead to accompany us to Russia."
Whether or not Koponen had been told of her cooling love and in desperate remorse or jealousy had planned the killing remained a conjecture with officers, but they were agreed Karina had no knowledge of his death plans. That she was shot down while in an embrace, and that Koponen then turned the gun on himself was a verdict accepted by peace officers and investigators.
DOUBLE FUNERAL This morning the parents of the couple, who a week ago mildly objected to their marriage, consented to double funeral services and burial in adjoining plots at Resthaven cemetery. The services will be held Sunday afternoon at Bruno hall with a Communist speaker of Superior, Wis., in charge. The bodies will lie almost side by side in plots purchased by the parents Thursday.
Karina's last tryst with Koponen started ominously Tuesday afternoon if the reports of friends are correct. Having offered his services in driving her to Phelps, Wis., where she was to be employed, he arrived at the Takala home on north Fifth avenue about 1 o'clock. They quarreled when she invited her mother to accompany them, but because visitors arrived, Mrs. Takala was unable to go. They departed and were last seen by an automobile salesman who observed Koponen repairing a tire on his car at 3:30 o'clock near Beechwood. The next knowledge of their whereabouts was when Ben Karney, 16, with his brother Chester, 13, and sister, 14, found the dead bodies early Wednesday morning lying in a lover's embrace beside the old Morrison Creek Road five miles from the city [where the Paint River meets Morrison Creek].
Karina had died, investigation showed, from three bullet wounds; one fired into the abdomen, another into the chest, and a third through the temple. Koponen's death was due to a bullet fired into his right temple. Clasped in his hand was the .32 revolver with four discharged shells in the barrel. His arm was about the girl and his head rested on her face.
HELD FOR LARCENY His love affair was not Koponen's only worry, the investigators learned. Saturday night, when apprehended stealing merchandise, he was discharged from in Iron River store and was summoned to appear for a hearing Wednesday morning. Merchandise found in his coat pockets by an alert manager was entirely feminine apparel, probably destined for gifts to his sweetheart. When confronted, Koponen left the store in a run, but when advised a warrant was issued for his arrest, returned most of the missing things. Satisfied with this, the store intended not to press larceny charges but permitted officers to summon Koponen for a warning.
These facts and other events leading to the tragedy will probably be reviewed at 7 o'clock this evening at a coroner's inquest in the undertaking parlors of Coroner W.J. Johns, who, with Chief pf Police Robert Barnum, is in charge of the investigation. The jury was impanel quickly Wednesday morning and visited the scene before the bodies were removed.
Although not definitely determined, the hour of the shooting is believed to have been late Tuesday afternoon. At 5 o'clock Ben Karney, returning home from school, saw a car parked near the road and two young people lying in a knoll not far away. Thinking them a pair of lovers, he walked on his way, but when he returned with his brother and sister at 7:30 the next morning and found the car and two persons in the same positions, he investigated and found them in a pool of blood. The three students hurriedly communicated with Chief Barnum, who in turn conferred with Coroner Johns. After the jury had viewed the scene, the bodies were removed to the Johns' undertaking parlors where Dr. J.E. Irvine further investigated the extent of the wounds.
ALL SHOTS FATAL Death, reported Coroner Johns later, would probably have resulted from any of the four shots fired.
That Karina was shot while standing was the belief of the coroner yesterday, who said the bullets took a downward course. Drops of blood were also found on Karina's shoes. As she slumped from the first shot, the coroner believes, Koponen fired the second shot into the chest and the third into her temple to make death certain. Then he turned the weapon on himself.
A love note written to Koponen by Karina and found in his pocket by Coroner Johns was studied by officers yesterday but revealed nothing. Apparently written some time ago, it called him pet names and was signed Corrine, unnamed she used. Beside the signature in a different style of writing was written "wife." This, concluded the officers, was probably written in by Waino.
Karina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Takala of the Burns location. The father left a month ago to take a position as carpenter in Russia. Others have said he was invited by Finnish Communists to assist in organization work. The intent of the family, said the mother, was to join him in August. Karina, although born in Finland, came with her parents to Iron River as a baby. She worked at times at the Lakeside hospital and the Iron Inn. She has one brother, Sullo.
Waino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Esa Koponen, Riverside, was born in Iron River and graduated from high school three years ago. He was employed for two years by the Chicago store and later by Three Winners. He is survived by a brother William and a sister Irene.
Interest in the tragedy drew hundreds of people to the Johns' undertaking parlors Wednesday evening to view the bodies.
FUNERAL NOTICE Iron River Reporter May 26 1931 "Bitter Criticism of Capitalism in Funeral Service: Communistic Speakers Pay Brief Eulogies To Dead"
Religion's scant place in the Communistic program was exemplified Sunday afternoon when a crowd of 1500 persons, gathered from many neighboring communities, heard tribute to Miss Karina Takala and Waino Koponen, victims of a double tragedy a week ago, and bitter criticisms of a capitalistic system which provided the motive, speakers said, for Koponen's murder of his sweetheart and his own suicide.
The double funeral service elipsed, in numbers gathered, all county records, for while Bruno hall was filled to capacity, an overflow crowd bulged into the streets under the eye supervision of members of the state and local police.
For nearly two hours the service lasted, marked by the addressing of three speakers and a variety of instrumental and vocal selections. For blocks around cars crept about seeking parking places, and more than 300 followed in line as the cortege formed late in the afternoon and wound its way to Resthaven cemetery.
Public interest in the services was manifest, for the automobiles of townspeople lined both sides of the streets leading to the cemetery. Traffic supervision by state and local police and by Dan C. VanWagner, state officer, was necessary.
The funeral program was in charge of Arne H. Sotka of Superior, Wis., a young Communist leader, once of Ironwood, while the speakers were Waino Mykkanen of Ironwood, one time of Iron River, Walter A. Harju of Superior, and Ed. R. Mutila of Hancock.
Harju and Mutila, speaking in English, assailed a system which tempted young people to steal that they may obtain rightful possessions and eulogized the young couple. Mykkanen spoke in Finnish much along the same lines.
During the service a long program of musical selections were presented, and at its close nearly 1500 persons viewed the bodies.
At the grave speakers again paid tribute to Communistic principles to a gathering of several hundred people clustered about the graves where the lovers were laid side by side.
According to a verdict returned Friday evening by a coroner's jury, Miss Takala came to her death from three bullet wounds fired by her suitor Koponen, and that Koponen died of a bullet wound fired by himself. After hearing the testimony of several witnesses, the jury deliberated less than 15 minutes before reaching a verdict.
The two bodies were found Wednesday morning by Ben Karne, 16, Iron River high school student, as he walked to school. They lay beside the road near the Moss farm five miles north of the city. Officers were notified and Coroner W.J. Johns and Chief Robert Barnum began an investigation which revealed the motive was jilted love.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 22 1931 "Broken Troth Called Motive In Love Deaths: Sweetheart's Cool Love Led To Double Killing, Belief"
Reconstructing the events which led Tuesday afternoon to the fatal shooting of Miss Karina Takala, 20 year old Iron River girl, and Waino Koponen, 21, her betrothed, police officers yesterday laid the motive to a broken love pledge and abandoned all theories that the two entered into a death pact.
Supporting this conclusion was the story of Karina's mother, who held in her possession her daughter's engagement ring, a gift from Koponen last January which she wore infrequently and in recent days not at all.
"Karina liked Waino, of course, but she was not sure of herself," sobbed her mother to friends."She talked of the affair to me but I told her she was old enough to decide for herself. Lately she decided not to marry and instead to accompany us to Russia."
Whether or not Koponen had been told of her cooling love and in desperate remorse or jealousy had planned the killing remained a conjecture with officers, but they were agreed Karina had no knowledge of his death plans. That she was shot down while in an embrace, and that Koponen then turned the gun on himself was a verdict accepted by peace officers and investigators.
DOUBLE FUNERAL This morning the parents of the couple, who a week ago mildly objected to their marriage, consented to double funeral services and burial in adjoining plots at Resthaven cemetery. The services will be held Sunday afternoon at Bruno hall with a Communist speaker of Superior, Wis., in charge. The bodies will lie almost side by side in plots purchased by the parents Thursday.
Karina's last tryst with Koponen started ominously Tuesday afternoon if the reports of friends are correct. Having offered his services in driving her to Phelps, Wis., where she was to be employed, he arrived at the Takala home on north Fifth avenue about 1 o'clock. They quarreled when she invited her mother to accompany them, but because visitors arrived, Mrs. Takala was unable to go. They departed and were last seen by an automobile salesman who observed Koponen repairing a tire on his car at 3:30 o'clock near Beechwood. The next knowledge of their whereabouts was when Ben Karney, 16, with his brother Chester, 13, and sister, 14, found the dead bodies early Wednesday morning lying in a lover's embrace beside the old Morrison Creek Road five miles from the city [where the Paint River meets Morrison Creek].
Karina had died, investigation showed, from three bullet wounds; one fired into the abdomen, another into the chest, and a third through the temple. Koponen's death was due to a bullet fired into his right temple. Clasped in his hand was the .32 revolver with four discharged shells in the barrel. His arm was about the girl and his head rested on her face.
HELD FOR LARCENY His love affair was not Koponen's only worry, the investigators learned. Saturday night, when apprehended stealing merchandise, he was discharged from in Iron River store and was summoned to appear for a hearing Wednesday morning. Merchandise found in his coat pockets by an alert manager was entirely feminine apparel, probably destined for gifts to his sweetheart. When confronted, Koponen left the store in a run, but when advised a warrant was issued for his arrest, returned most of the missing things. Satisfied with this, the store intended not to press larceny charges but permitted officers to summon Koponen for a warning.
These facts and other events leading to the tragedy will probably be reviewed at 7 o'clock this evening at a coroner's inquest in the undertaking parlors of Coroner W.J. Johns, who, with Chief pf Police Robert Barnum, is in charge of the investigation. The jury was impanel quickly Wednesday morning and visited the scene before the bodies were removed.
Although not definitely determined, the hour of the shooting is believed to have been late Tuesday afternoon. At 5 o'clock Ben Karney, returning home from school, saw a car parked near the road and two young people lying in a knoll not far away. Thinking them a pair of lovers, he walked on his way, but when he returned with his brother and sister at 7:30 the next morning and found the car and two persons in the same positions, he investigated and found them in a pool of blood. The three students hurriedly communicated with Chief Barnum, who in turn conferred with Coroner Johns. After the jury had viewed the scene, the bodies were removed to the Johns' undertaking parlors where Dr. J.E. Irvine further investigated the extent of the wounds.
ALL SHOTS FATAL Death, reported Coroner Johns later, would probably have resulted from any of the four shots fired.
That Karina was shot while standing was the belief of the coroner yesterday, who said the bullets took a downward course. Drops of blood were also found on Karina's shoes. As she slumped from the first shot, the coroner believes, Koponen fired the second shot into the chest and the third into her temple to make death certain. Then he turned the weapon on himself.
A love note written to Koponen by Karina and found in his pocket by Coroner Johns was studied by officers yesterday but revealed nothing. Apparently written some time ago, it called him pet names and was signed Corrine, unnamed she used. Beside the signature in a different style of writing was written "wife." This, concluded the officers, was probably written in by Waino.
Karina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Takala of the Burns location. The father left a month ago to take a position as carpenter in Russia. Others have said he was invited by Finnish Communists to assist in organization work. The intent of the family, said the mother, was to join him in August. Karina, although born in Finland, came with her parents to Iron River as a baby. She worked at times at the Lakeside hospital and the Iron Inn. She has one brother, Sullo.
Waino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Esa Koponen, Riverside, was born in Iron River and graduated from high school three years ago. He was employed for two years by the Chicago store and later by Three Winners. He is survived by a brother William and a sister Irene.
Interest in the tragedy drew hundreds of people to the Johns' undertaking parlors Wednesday evening to view the bodies.
FUNERAL NOTICE Iron River Reporter May 26 1931 "Bitter Criticism of Capitalism in Funeral Service: Communistic Speakers Pay Brief Eulogies To Dead"
Religion's scant place in the Communistic program was exemplified Sunday afternoon when a crowd of 1500 persons, gathered from many neighboring communities, heard tribute to Miss Karina Takala and Waino Koponen, victims of a double tragedy a week ago, and bitter criticisms of a capitalistic system which provided the motive, speakers said, for Koponen's murder of his sweetheart and his own suicide.
The double funeral service elipsed, in numbers gathered, all county records, for while Bruno hall was filled to capacity, an overflow crowd bulged into the streets under the eye supervision of members of the state and local police.
For nearly two hours the service lasted, marked by the addressing of three speakers and a variety of instrumental and vocal selections. For blocks around cars crept about seeking parking places, and more than 300 followed in line as the cortege formed late in the afternoon and wound its way to Resthaven cemetery.
Public interest in the services was manifest, for the automobiles of townspeople lined both sides of the streets leading to the cemetery. Traffic supervision by state and local police and by Dan C. VanWagner, state officer, was necessary.
The funeral program was in charge of Arne H. Sotka of Superior, Wis., a young Communist leader, once of Ironwood, while the speakers were Waino Mykkanen of Ironwood, one time of Iron River, Walter A. Harju of Superior, and Ed. R. Mutila of Hancock.
Harju and Mutila, speaking in English, assailed a system which tempted young people to steal that they may obtain rightful possessions and eulogized the young couple. Mykkanen spoke in Finnish much along the same lines.
During the service a long program of musical selections were presented, and at its close nearly 1500 persons viewed the bodies.
At the grave speakers again paid tribute to Communistic principles to a gathering of several hundred people clustered about the graves where the lovers were laid side by side.
According to a verdict returned Friday evening by a coroner's jury, Miss Takala came to her death from three bullet wounds fired by her suitor Koponen, and that Koponen died of a bullet wound fired by himself. After hearing the testimony of several witnesses, the jury deliberated less than 15 minutes before reaching a verdict.
The two bodies were found Wednesday morning by Ben Karne, 16, Iron River high school student, as he walked to school. They lay beside the road near the Moss farm five miles north of the city. Officers were notified and Coroner W.J. Johns and Chief Robert Barnum began an investigation which revealed the motive was jilted love.
HEADSTONE says daughter.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 22 1931 "Broken Troth Called Motive In Love Deaths: Sweetheart's Cool Love Led To Double Killing, Belief"
Reconstructing the events which led Tuesday afternoon to the fatal shooting of Miss Karina Takala, 20 year old Iron River girl, and Waino Koponen, 21, her betrothed, police officers yesterday laid the motive to a broken love pledge and abandoned all theories that the two entered into a death pact.
Supporting this conclusion was the story of Karina's mother, who held in her possession her daughter's engagement ring, a gift from Koponen last January which she wore infrequently and in recent days not at all.
"Karina liked Waino, of course, but she was not sure of herself," sobbed her mother to friends."She talked of the affair to me but I told her she was old enough to decide for herself. Lately she decided not to marry and instead to accompany us to Russia."
Whether or not Koponen had been told of her cooling love and in desperate remorse or jealousy had planned the killing remained a conjecture with officers, but they were agreed Karina had no knowledge of his death plans. That she was shot down while in an embrace, and that Koponen then turned the gun on himself was a verdict accepted by peace officers and investigators.
DOUBLE FUNERAL This morning the parents of the couple, who a week ago mildly objected to their marriage, consented to double funeral services and burial in adjoining plots at Resthaven cemetery. The services will be held Sunday afternoon at Bruno hall with a Communist speaker of Superior, Wis., in charge. The bodies will lie almost side by side in plots purchased by the parents Thursday.
Karina's last tryst with Koponen started ominously Tuesday afternoon if the reports of friends are correct. Having offered his services in driving her to Phelps, Wis., where she was to be employed, he arrived at the Takala home on north Fifth avenue about 1 o'clock. They quarreled when she invited her mother to accompany them, but because visitors arrived, Mrs. Takala was unable to go. They departed and were last seen by an automobile salesman who observed Koponen repairing a tire on his car at 3:30 o'clock near Beechwood. The next knowledge of their whereabouts was when Ben Karney, 16, with his brother Chester, 13, and sister, 14, found the dead bodies early Wednesday morning lying in a lover's embrace beside the old Morrison Creek Road five miles from the city [where the Paint River meets Morrison Creek].
Karina had died, investigation showed, from three bullet wounds; one fired into the abdomen, another into the chest, and a third through the temple. Koponen's death was due to a bullet fired into his right temple. Clasped in his hand was the .32 revolver with four discharged shells in the barrel. His arm was about the girl and his head rested on her face.
HELD FOR LARCENY His love affair was not Koponen's only worry, the investigators learned. Saturday night, when apprehended stealing merchandise, he was discharged from in Iron River store and was summoned to appear for a hearing Wednesday morning. Merchandise found in his coat pockets by an alert manager was entirely feminine apparel, probably destined for gifts to his sweetheart. When confronted, Koponen left the store in a run, but when advised a warrant was issued for his arrest, returned most of the missing things. Satisfied with this, the store intended not to press larceny charges but permitted officers to summon Koponen for a warning.
These facts and other events leading to the tragedy will probably be reviewed at 7 o'clock this evening at a coroner's inquest in the undertaking parlors of Coroner W.J. Johns, who, with Chief pf Police Robert Barnum, is in charge of the investigation. The jury was impanel quickly Wednesday morning and visited the scene before the bodies were removed.
Although not definitely determined, the hour of the shooting is believed to have been late Tuesday afternoon. At 5 o'clock Ben Karney, returning home from school, saw a car parked near the road and two young people lying in a knoll not far away. Thinking them a pair of lovers, he walked on his way, but when he returned with his brother and sister at 7:30 the next morning and found the car and two persons in the same positions, he investigated and found them in a pool of blood. The three students hurriedly communicated with Chief Barnum, who in turn conferred with Coroner Johns. After the jury had viewed the scene, the bodies were removed to the Johns' undertaking parlors where Dr. J.E. Irvine further investigated the extent of the wounds.
ALL SHOTS FATAL Death, reported Coroner Johns later, would probably have resulted from any of the four shots fired.
That Karina was shot while standing was the belief of the coroner yesterday, who said the bullets took a downward course. Drops of blood were also found on Karina's shoes. As she slumped from the first shot, the coroner believes, Koponen fired the second shot into the chest and the third into her temple to make death certain. Then he turned the weapon on himself.
A love note written to Koponen by Karina and found in his pocket by Coroner Johns was studied by officers yesterday but revealed nothing. Apparently written some time ago, it called him pet names and was signed Corrine, unnamed she used. Beside the signature in a different style of writing was written "wife." This, concluded the officers, was probably written in by Waino.
Karina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Takala of the Burns location. The father left a month ago to take a position as carpenter in Russia. Others have said he was invited by Finnish Communists to assist in organization work. The intent of the family, said the mother, was to join him in August. Karina, although born in Finland, came with her parents to Iron River as a baby. She worked at times at the Lakeside hospital and the Iron Inn. She has one brother, Sullo.
Waino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Esa Koponen, Riverside, was born in Iron River and graduated from high school three years ago. He was employed for two years by the Chicago store and later by Three Winners. He is survived by a brother William and a sister Irene.
Interest in the tragedy drew hundreds of people to the Johns' undertaking parlors Wednesday evening to view the bodies.
FUNERAL NOTICE Iron River Reporter May 26 1931 "Bitter Criticism of Capitalism in Funeral Service: Communistic Speakers Pay Brief Eulogies To Dead"
Religion's scant place in the Communistic program was exemplified Sunday afternoon when a crowd of 1500 persons, gathered from many neighboring communities, heard tribute to Miss Karina Takala and Waino Koponen, victims of a double tragedy a week ago, and bitter criticisms of a capitalistic system which provided the motive, speakers said, for Koponen's murder of his sweetheart and his own suicide.
The double funeral service elipsed, in numbers gathered, all county records, for while Bruno hall was filled to capacity, an overflow crowd bulged into the streets under the eye supervision of members of the state and local police.
For nearly two hours the service lasted, marked by the addressing of three speakers and a variety of instrumental and vocal selections. For blocks around cars crept about seeking parking places, and more than 300 followed in line as the cortege formed late in the afternoon and wound its way to Resthaven cemetery.
Public interest in the services was manifest, for the automobiles of townspeople lined both sides of the streets leading to the cemetery. Traffic supervision by state and local police and by Dan C. VanWagner, state officer, was necessary.
The funeral program was in charge of Arne H. Sotka of Superior, Wis., a young Communist leader, once of Ironwood, while the speakers were Waino Mykkanen of Ironwood, one time of Iron River, Walter A. Harju of Superior, and Ed. R. Mutila of Hancock.
Harju and Mutila, speaking in English, assailed a system which tempted young people to steal that they may obtain rightful possessions and eulogized the young couple. Mykkanen spoke in Finnish much along the same lines.
During the service a long program of musical selections were presented, and at its close nearly 1500 persons viewed the bodies.
At the grave speakers again paid tribute to Communistic principles to a gathering of several hundred people clustered about the graves where the lovers were laid side by side.
According to a verdict returned Friday evening by a coroner's jury, Miss Takala came to her death from three bullet wounds fired by her suitor Koponen, and that Koponen died of a bullet wound fired by himself. After hearing the testimony of several witnesses, the jury deliberated less than 15 minutes before reaching a verdict.
The two bodies were found Wednesday morning by Ben Karne, 16, Iron River high school student, as he walked to school. They lay beside the road near the Moss farm five miles north of the city. Officers were notified and Coroner W.J. Johns and Chief Robert Barnum began an investigation which revealed the motive was jilted love.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 22 1931 "Broken Troth Called Motive In Love Deaths: Sweetheart's Cool Love Led To Double Killing, Belief"
Reconstructing the events which led Tuesday afternoon to the fatal shooting of Miss Karina Takala, 20 year old Iron River girl, and Waino Koponen, 21, her betrothed, police officers yesterday laid the motive to a broken love pledge and abandoned all theories that the two entered into a death pact.
Supporting this conclusion was the story of Karina's mother, who held in her possession her daughter's engagement ring, a gift from Koponen last January which she wore infrequently and in recent days not at all.
"Karina liked Waino, of course, but she was not sure of herself," sobbed her mother to friends."She talked of the affair to me but I told her she was old enough to decide for herself. Lately she decided not to marry and instead to accompany us to Russia."
Whether or not Koponen had been told of her cooling love and in desperate remorse or jealousy had planned the killing remained a conjecture with officers, but they were agreed Karina had no knowledge of his death plans. That she was shot down while in an embrace, and that Koponen then turned the gun on himself was a verdict accepted by peace officers and investigators.
DOUBLE FUNERAL This morning the parents of the couple, who a week ago mildly objected to their marriage, consented to double funeral services and burial in adjoining plots at Resthaven cemetery. The services will be held Sunday afternoon at Bruno hall with a Communist speaker of Superior, Wis., in charge. The bodies will lie almost side by side in plots purchased by the parents Thursday.
Karina's last tryst with Koponen started ominously Tuesday afternoon if the reports of friends are correct. Having offered his services in driving her to Phelps, Wis., where she was to be employed, he arrived at the Takala home on north Fifth avenue about 1 o'clock. They quarreled when she invited her mother to accompany them, but because visitors arrived, Mrs. Takala was unable to go. They departed and were last seen by an automobile salesman who observed Koponen repairing a tire on his car at 3:30 o'clock near Beechwood. The next knowledge of their whereabouts was when Ben Karney, 16, with his brother Chester, 13, and sister, 14, found the dead bodies early Wednesday morning lying in a lover's embrace beside the old Morrison Creek Road five miles from the city [where the Paint River meets Morrison Creek].
Karina had died, investigation showed, from three bullet wounds; one fired into the abdomen, another into the chest, and a third through the temple. Koponen's death was due to a bullet fired into his right temple. Clasped in his hand was the .32 revolver with four discharged shells in the barrel. His arm was about the girl and his head rested on her face.
HELD FOR LARCENY His love affair was not Koponen's only worry, the investigators learned. Saturday night, when apprehended stealing merchandise, he was discharged from in Iron River store and was summoned to appear for a hearing Wednesday morning. Merchandise found in his coat pockets by an alert manager was entirely feminine apparel, probably destined for gifts to his sweetheart. When confronted, Koponen left the store in a run, but when advised a warrant was issued for his arrest, returned most of the missing things. Satisfied with this, the store intended not to press larceny charges but permitted officers to summon Koponen for a warning.
These facts and other events leading to the tragedy will probably be reviewed at 7 o'clock this evening at a coroner's inquest in the undertaking parlors of Coroner W.J. Johns, who, with Chief pf Police Robert Barnum, is in charge of the investigation. The jury was impanel quickly Wednesday morning and visited the scene before the bodies were removed.
Although not definitely determined, the hour of the shooting is believed to have been late Tuesday afternoon. At 5 o'clock Ben Karney, returning home from school, saw a car parked near the road and two young people lying in a knoll not far away. Thinking them a pair of lovers, he walked on his way, but when he returned with his brother and sister at 7:30 the next morning and found the car and two persons in the same positions, he investigated and found them in a pool of blood. The three students hurriedly communicated with Chief Barnum, who in turn conferred with Coroner Johns. After the jury had viewed the scene, the bodies were removed to the Johns' undertaking parlors where Dr. J.E. Irvine further investigated the extent of the wounds.
ALL SHOTS FATAL Death, reported Coroner Johns later, would probably have resulted from any of the four shots fired.
That Karina was shot while standing was the belief of the coroner yesterday, who said the bullets took a downward course. Drops of blood were also found on Karina's shoes. As she slumped from the first shot, the coroner believes, Koponen fired the second shot into the chest and the third into her temple to make death certain. Then he turned the weapon on himself.
A love note written to Koponen by Karina and found in his pocket by Coroner Johns was studied by officers yesterday but revealed nothing. Apparently written some time ago, it called him pet names and was signed Corrine, unnamed she used. Beside the signature in a different style of writing was written "wife." This, concluded the officers, was probably written in by Waino.
Karina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Takala of the Burns location. The father left a month ago to take a position as carpenter in Russia. Others have said he was invited by Finnish Communists to assist in organization work. The intent of the family, said the mother, was to join him in August. Karina, although born in Finland, came with her parents to Iron River as a baby. She worked at times at the Lakeside hospital and the Iron Inn. She has one brother, Sullo.
Waino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Esa Koponen, Riverside, was born in Iron River and graduated from high school three years ago. He was employed for two years by the Chicago store and later by Three Winners. He is survived by a brother William and a sister Irene.
Interest in the tragedy drew hundreds of people to the Johns' undertaking parlors Wednesday evening to view the bodies.
FUNERAL NOTICE Iron River Reporter May 26 1931 "Bitter Criticism of Capitalism in Funeral Service: Communistic Speakers Pay Brief Eulogies To Dead"
Religion's scant place in the Communistic program was exemplified Sunday afternoon when a crowd of 1500 persons, gathered from many neighboring communities, heard tribute to Miss Karina Takala and Waino Koponen, victims of a double tragedy a week ago, and bitter criticisms of a capitalistic system which provided the motive, speakers said, for Koponen's murder of his sweetheart and his own suicide.
The double funeral service elipsed, in numbers gathered, all county records, for while Bruno hall was filled to capacity, an overflow crowd bulged into the streets under the eye supervision of members of the state and local police.
For nearly two hours the service lasted, marked by the addressing of three speakers and a variety of instrumental and vocal selections. For blocks around cars crept about seeking parking places, and more than 300 followed in line as the cortege formed late in the afternoon and wound its way to Resthaven cemetery.
Public interest in the services was manifest, for the automobiles of townspeople lined both sides of the streets leading to the cemetery. Traffic supervision by state and local police and by Dan C. VanWagner, state officer, was necessary.
The funeral program was in charge of Arne H. Sotka of Superior, Wis., a young Communist leader, once of Ironwood, while the speakers were Waino Mykkanen of Ironwood, one time of Iron River, Walter A. Harju of Superior, and Ed. R. Mutila of Hancock.
Harju and Mutila, speaking in English, assailed a system which tempted young people to steal that they may obtain rightful possessions and eulogized the young couple. Mykkanen spoke in Finnish much along the same lines.
During the service a long program of musical selections were presented, and at its close nearly 1500 persons viewed the bodies.
At the grave speakers again paid tribute to Communistic principles to a gathering of several hundred people clustered about the graves where the lovers were laid side by side.
According to a verdict returned Friday evening by a coroner's jury, Miss Takala came to her death from three bullet wounds fired by her suitor Koponen, and that Koponen died of a bullet wound fired by himself. After hearing the testimony of several witnesses, the jury deliberated less than 15 minutes before reaching a verdict.
The two bodies were found Wednesday morning by Ben Karne, 16, Iron River high school student, as he walked to school. They lay beside the road near the Moss farm five miles north of the city. Officers were notified and Coroner W.J. Johns and Chief Robert Barnum began an investigation which revealed the motive was jilted love.
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