Date : 22 Sep 1917
Location : St. Mary's Cemetery, Rock Valley, IA
The remains of Arthur Kaskie, whose death was mentioned in last week's Bee, arrived Saturday noon and were taken to St. Mary's cemetery southeast of town for burial.
The Kaskie family were among the pioneer residents of this vicinity and the deceased had lived here most all his life, having gone to South Dakota with the rest of the family, about six years ago. He was a young man who was highly respected by all who knew him, and the many friends of the bereaved relatives regret his sad death and extend sincere sympathy to them.
Besides other relatives he leaves a mother, Mrs. Wm. Kaskie, two sisters, Mrs. Ida Beers and Miss Adeline, and three brothers, Lawrence, Roy and Vincent, all of whom were here for the burial services.
The Howard, S. D., Press gives the following account of his death: "Arthur Kaskie, a farmer about 30 years old, living two miles south of Vilas, committed suicide Tuesday afternoon, The deed was done by hanging himself in the loft of the barn. It is not known just when he committed self destruction, but it is supposed that it was shortly after noon, as he ate dinner with the family and seemed as well as usual. After dinner one brother and his sister came to Howard and the older brother went to the field to work. He left the house ostensibly to go to work and no suspicion was had that anything was wrong until his brother returned from the field in the evening and found that he was not at the house. A search of the premises was made and the body from which, all clothing except shoes and stockings had been removed, was found hanging from a rafter in the loft of the barn. He had taken a hitch strap from a harness and made a noose by passing the strap through the buckle the loose end tied to the rafter and the noose placed around his neck, after which he swung himself clear to the floor.
As soon as the body was discovered it was cut down and Coroner Noble notified. Dr. Noble viewed the body and as it was a clear case of suicide and did not hold an inquest.
Funeral services will be held at St. Agatha's church at 9:00 o'clock this morning. The remains will be taken to Rock Valley, Iowa, the former home of the family, for burial.
No reason for the rash act can be surmised, except that he had been in poor health for some time. He left no note or other evidence that he contemplated self destruction. He was unmarried and a young man of splendid character. He lived with his mother, a sister and two brothers, who have the heartfelt sympathy of all in their sorrow."
Rock Valley Bee - Sep 28, 1917
