Sorenson, Julius - COMMITS SUICIDE IN HORRIBLE WAY (1919)

SORENSEN, EGAN, WARD

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 11:07:22

Daily Nonpareil, Sunday, March 16, 1919, Council Bluffs, Iowa Page: 3

COMMITS SUICIDE IN
HORRIBLE WAY
~
JULIUS SORENSEN OF AUBUDON
POURS OIL ON HIS CLOTHING; IS CREMATED
~
CAUSE OF ACT A MYSTERY
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Sorensen Owned One Farm and a
Half Interest in Another – Family
Life Ideal – Leaves Widow
and Four Children
~
Special to Daily Nonpareil:
AUBUDON, Ia, March 15 – Julius Sorensen, a well-to-do-farmer, living on a farm just over the Guthrie-Audubon County line, Northwest of North Branch in Bear Grove Township, committed suicide in just about the most horrible manner possible. He arose at the usual time, 5 o’clock, and went to the barn to do his chores. His wife prepared the breakfast and waited some time for her husband to come. When he did not appear, Mrs. Sorensen and the children at their morning meal. After waiting quite a while they became alarmed and made search for him.

Neighbors joined in the search and between 8 and 9 o’clock the charred body of Mr. Sorensen was found in a hollow in the field, where he had burned to death.

Mr. Sorensen when leaving the house took along the kerosene can filled with oil and saturated his clothing with it and then set himself on fire. No cause is known why he should commit suicide, as he was well fixed financially and his family affairs were of the most congenial nature.

Mr. Sorenson was a likable fellow about 45 years and well known in Audubon County, having worked for Jim Egan and others in Greeley and Melville Townships for years. He purchased the Bud Ward farm some years ago upon his return from Mexico, where he went broke in a deal. He also owned a half interest in another farm recently purchased in partnership with another party. He is survived by his widow and four children, who are heartbroken. They can think of no reason why he should have taken his life, unless he became mentally unbalanced.