VIKTOR OBERLAND

(1875 • 1893)

Suicide by poison of Victor Oberland, about 18, whose body was found Tues. near the grave of his father, Alois Oberland in the city cemetery.

The young man worked in the drugstore of Mr. Oscar A. Alter.

Burial will take place tomorrow in the city cemetery.

(The long article details the circumstances.)

Der Nord Westen, Manitowoc, Wis., 09 November 1893

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A couple of ladies while out walking in the cemetery on Tuesday afternoon discovered the body of a young man lying on a grave. Notice was given to people in the city and an examination proved it to be the body of Victor Oberland, a clerk in the drug store of Oscar Alter. The muscles were contracted in such a way as to show that death did not come easy, though there were no outward signs of violence.

The young man was 18 years of age, a bright active, young fellow with a shiny face. He asked permission on Monday afternoon to leave the drug store for a while. It was given him but he failed to return. His absence from the store and from his home caused some alarm among his relatives. It was learned later in the day that he had gone out to the house of a relative in Manitowoc Rapids, near Kellner's Corners, William Knuill's. Here he remained over night and appeared to be quite cheerful. In the morning he went to the cheese factory with Mr. Knuill and left to go to the city with him. When they reached the railroad track Victor said he would walk down the track to the depot as he wanted to see some boys. So far as is known that was the last seen of him alive.

When found on the grave the body was still warm though life was extinct. The grave on which he died was that of his father who died a few years ago. An inquest was held before Justice Sandford and the verdict of the jury was that the boy came to his death from poisoning administered by his own hand.

Manitowoc Pilot, Wis., Thursday, November 9, 1893

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