Obit: Garbusch, Ferdinand (abt.1884 - 1918)

Contact: Ann Stevens
Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Garbusch, Matheson, Donahue, Dudei

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/26/1918

Garbusch, Ferdinand (abt.1884 – 18 Dec 1918)

While in a state of temporary insanity resulting from an illness with the flu, Ferdinand Garbusch took his own life on Wednesday evening of last week. Garbusch had been very sick with the disease, but had been recovering nicely and was up and around his home on North Hewett Street. But he was of an energetic disposition which chafed at being idle and on Wednesday he tried to resume his work in the Oatman Condensary. He worked for a couple hours and was then compelled to give up and return home. He was in a more serious condition when he arrived home than was thought, for he evidently went insane and tried to take his own life first by striking himself in the forehead with a hammer and then drinking a pint of turpentine which his wife had just bought. Dr. Matheson was immediately summoned and the unfortunate man was brought out of this trouble by the prompt use of a stomach pump. He seemingly became rational again, but in the evening while lying in bed, his reason again left him and he slashed his throat with a sharp pocket knife, severing the jugular vein on both sides of his throat. Dr. Matheson was again summoned, but his efforts were of no avail and the victim died shortly after.

Garbusch was a man of untiring energy and ambition and in his efforts to build up a home for himself and family he never spared his own physique. He worked overtime at the condensary whenever possible and in every manner showed himself to be a conscientious and faithful employee. He brooded considerably because of his illness and the necessity of being kept away from his work and to this characteristic is ascribed the regrettable action.

Ferdinand Garbusch was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Garbusch, his father being now Deceased, and at the time of his death was 34 years of age. He is survived by his wife and two sons, a step-daughter, and his mother, Mrs. Thomas Donahue. He was married in Neillsville to Anna Dudei and their married life had been a pleasant one throughout.