Surnames: Schultz, Dietrich, Housley, Longenecker

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) April 24, 1930

Dietrich, Ernest ( 25 Dec. 1865 - ?? April 1930)

BODY OF DIETRICH FOUND IN PASTURE

WM. SCHULTZ DISCOVERS VICTIM NEAR BLACK RIVER

The body of Ernest Dietrich, whose mysterious disappearance was mentioned in last week’s Press, was found in the woods in S. F. Hewett’s pasture Saturday afternoon by Wm. Schultz. Charlie Dietrich, brother of Ernest, had made an unremitting search for Ernest ever since the day he disappeared on Thursday, April 10, but no trace of him had been discovered.

A party of searchers had gone along the river on both sides and all vacant buildings everywhere had been entered and searched; but it was by mere chance that the body was discovered by Mr. Schultz, who has gone out for a walk. In the clump of woods north of the railroad track just west of Neillsville Station, Mr. Schultz sat down on a rock and happened to see the body lying near by. The indications all showed that Mr. Dietrich had committed suicide by hanging. A long strip of cloth a bandage used by him to wrap around his leg for varicose vein trouble, had evidently been tied to the limb of a nearby tree and around his neck; but at some time, this strip of cloth had broken, letting the body fall to the ground. He had placed a piece of rotten stump near the body of the tree on which he had apparently stepped before tying the cloth to the limb and about his neck. The circumstances of his death were so apparent that Dr. Housley, County Coroner, did not deem an inquest necessary. It was certain there was no foul play, as the sum of over $ 60 was found in his pocket. It was known that he had drawn out about $150 from the bank a few days before his disappearance, and bills that he had paid would account for the difference.

He had been very melancholy for several years past, his health not being good, and having gone from one doctor to another with exaggerated ideas of his ailments, he had become greatly discouraged; and in this unfortunate condition of mind had taken his own life.

Ernest Dietrich was born in the town of Grant, Dec. 25, 1865. He grew to manhood there and worked on the home farm and for other farmers. He was a very industrious honest, upright man, always dealing justly with all for whom he worked or had business with him, and leaves many friends who grieve at his untimely death.

He is survived by three brothers; Charlie of Neillsville; Fred of Boise, Idaho; and Henry of Watertown, Wis. He leaves also a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational church in Neillsville, Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating. Six nephews of the deceased acted as pall bearers.