Nels Norbeck (1853-1896)

NORBECK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/22/2024 at 23:09:38

From Story City Herald February 7, 1896 (page 5)

The suicide of Nels Norbeck which occurred at Jewell on last Friday created considerable interest at this place where the man was well known. The Herald has secured the facts concerning this awful and untimely death from a responsible party in Jewell. It cannot be truly said that Mr. Norbeck committed suicide in the general meaning of the term for that is not the case. At the coroner's inquest it was developed that he with other parties had been on a prolonged drunk. That he awoke from a long sleep, his whole system craving for the stimulant, and having nothing but a quantity of wood alcohol at hand he took a big drink from a jug containing this deadly poison to quench his burning thirst. Feeling the effects of the alcohol after a short time he ran to the doctor for aid, but was told that it was too late. When he realized that he must face eternity he made the most piteous appeals to heaven ear ever listened to, promising the great God if he would spare him this time that he would never drink another drop. But all in vain, and in a few moments he was dead. Norbeck was born in Sweden, September 23, 1853. He died the death of a drunkard, January 31, 1806, aged 42 years, 4 months and 8 days. Funeral services were held on Sunday. He had no relatives in this country.