Obit: Stiehl, Archie H. (1900 - 1909)

Contact: Stan      

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Stiehl, Seif

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 06/10/1909

Stiehl, Archie H. (7 AUG 1900 - 4 JUN 1909)

Friday morning the city was shocked by the report that Archie Herbert Stiehl had committed suicide.  The little fellow came home from school about ten o’clock and being slightly reprimanded because of his failure in one study at school, he went into the barn, put a rope about his neck, tying the other end to a lath nailed across two rafters, and mounting a box stepped off to his death.  But a few moments later his older brother found him and gave the alarm.  Mrs. Minnie Stiehl and her daughter, Miss Tena Seif, hurried to the barn, but the sight of her brother through the open door caused Miss Tena to faint.  Mrs. Stiehl screamed and running into the barn, tried to get the lad down, but in her frightened condition her efforts were of little avail.  When the boy was taken down a few moments later, life as almost extinct, and though a doctor was hastily summoned, his efforts were futile, and the little fellow died.

To the writer it cannot seem possible that the boy really intended to take his life.  It appears more plausible that he meant to give his mother and sister a scare, for he hung himself in plain sight of the house through the open barn door, probably with the thought that he would be seen and prevented.  He had not knotted the rope around his neck, and a large knot on the end of the rope caught and held.  After the little fellow had stepped off the box he could not help himself thought he would, and so slowly strangled to death.

The arsh act of the little boy has cast a pall of sorrow over many homes.  His sister, Miss Tena, is in a very serious condition and under the doctor’s care.  His school teacher and schoolmates also feel his death quite keenly, for Archie was a cheerful and lovable little fellow.  He would have been 9 years of age on Aug. 7^th, having been born in the town of Lynn (Clark Co.).  Archie was a bright, cheerful lad of excellent behavior and always conducted himself as a little gentleman.  He was not of a moody disposition and was well liked by all his little associates.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the Congregation Church, Rev. Risser officiating.  The funeral was largely attended by sorrowing friends and the floral offerings were quite beautiful.