HERMAN LENZ

Herman Lenz Is Found Dead; Gun Used in Suicide
Wife Who Sought Divorce And Officer Discover Body In Kitchen
Herman Lenz, 57, who last week was served with divorce papers by his wife,
committed suicide, probably last night, in the kitchen of his home, 627 North
Fifth street.
The body, with the gun on the floor beside it and a bullet wound in the temple,
was found by Deputy Sheriff Sigward Weinert at 2:30 p.m. today when he
accompanied Mrs. Lenz to the home to procure some clothing belonging to the
children. There was no note.
Indications pointed to the deed being committed last night or early this morning.
The deputy notified Sheriff Schuette and Dr. Gerald Rau, Two Rivers, county
coroner.
Mrs. Lenz had not been living at the home for several days. Following a quarrel,
she left the home to stay at the Petska home, 615 Buffalo street. Fearful of her
life and claiming that her husband had made threats against her, Mrs. Lenz
appealed to the police Friday morning. She was accorded police protection on a
trip to the courthouse on legal business.
Lenz was not seen by anyone in the vicinity of the home since yesterday afternoon.
The body was fully clothed when found by Deputy Weinert.
Besides the widow, who was his second wife, a family of grown children survive.
It is not expected an inquest will be held.
Manitowoc Herald Times, April 28, 1934 P. 3
*********
Lenz Carefully Planned To Take Own Life; Borrowed Friend’s Gun
Notes Reveal His State of Mind Before Death In His Kitchen
Four carefully penciled notes-one 12 pages in length--found by sheriff’s deputies
and police at the home late Saturday afternoon disclosed that Herman W. Lenz, 57,
retired machinist and ship carpenter, planned out all the details of his suicide.
The dead body was found on the kitchen floor by Deputy S. Weinert when he went to
the North Fifth street home with Mrs. Lenz to secure some clothing from the house
for the three small Lenz children staying with their mother at a Buffalo street
address. The dead man carefully laid out his Sunday suit on a bed with a note
pinned to it asking that he be buried in the garments. It said “Bury me in this
suit.”
The divorce papers which were served on Lenz by Deputy Weinert a week ago were
found in the inside pocket of the coat worn by Lenz when he shot himself. There
were penciled notations along the margins of the complaint, setting forth that
“This is 95 per cent exaggerated.”
(snip)
Found Notes
Detective Frank Tomchek and Officer Charles Novak who answered the call to the
Lenz home after the suicide Saturday afternoon found notes, evidently penciled
just before Lenz ended his life on numerous photographs of his children in the
living room of the home.
(snip)
Mr. Lenz was born in this city and always made his home here. He learned the
machinist trade which he followed for years at the shipyards here. For a number
of years he operated a dray line.
He was first married to Emma Osulson of this city. She died in 1918. In 1924 he
married Stella Kocian. She survives with a son Harvey, and six daughters, Mildred,
Cleveland, Ohio; Myrtle, Green Bay; Hazel, Chicago; Marion, Laverne and Audrey,
all of this city.
Funeral services under the auspices of the Eagles lodge, will be held Tuesday at
1:30 p.m. from the Wattawa, Urbanek and Schlei funeral parlors. Interment will
be at Evergreen cemetery.
*********
Excerpt of Death Notes Lenz Left In His Home
NOTICE-April 25, 1934
The pearl handled revolver found in my possession was borrowed by me from Edward
Goldenstedt, North Fourth street. Kindly return same to him. I lied to him. I hope
he forgives me. I told him I wanted to shoot an old cat. But I meant I wanted to
shoot myself.
I am not radical or excited in this undertaking. My nerve is good and I feel positive
that I will not falter. I have always maintained that it is not necessary for one to
be insane. I wish to state right here that I am of sound mind and as sane as any one
can be. I realize the terrible deed before me. I know it will take courage. But I
also know that it will end terrible misery and agony that the future has in store for
me. Now that I am about to lose those that are dear to me I want solemnly to admit
that I love them all. If you don’t believe me I know God does.
I did not threaten to shoot my wife. That is a lie. The worst is going to happen
unless she gets back here before tomorrow night.
April 26—10:45 A.M.
I’ve been watching and waiting. I’ve been walking and hunting. But not one word
from my dear ones. I am going to commit arson and burn as much of my personal
holdings as possible. I feel that the fire department will get here in time to save
the neighbors from fire loss.
Now regarding my funeral. I am an Eagle in good standing. I wish to have the Eagles
lodge bury me. I want no flowers.
I will now bid you all goodbye-friends and enemies alike.
Later—I have changed my mind regarding arson. The first policeman that shows up
here will find a dead man inside the door for I will never be taken alive.
HERMAN W. LENZ

Dear Folks:
You were very foolish to take my revolver. I am fully possessed of all my faculties.
But I do admit I am broken hearted and can see nothing left to live for. I think
anyone foolish to live on in intense unhappiness. Therefore I am saying goodbye.
Manitowoc Herald Times, April 30, 1934 P. 2
*********
[bur. 5-1-1934/age 57 yr/cause: suicide-shot himselfthru head/
burial on Emelia Lenz lot]