A DOUBLE TRAGEDY ERNEST KOEHNKE KILLS MISS LUCIE FISHER AND THEN ENDS OWN LIFE JEALOUSY CAUSE OF RASH DEED
One of the most startling and sensational tragedies that ever happened in this community happened this morning at 2:30 at the Fred Fischer home 4 miles south of town, when in a fit of jealousy. Ernest Koehnke shot Lucie Fischer and then ended his own life.
Koehnke had been keeping company with Miss Fischer for some time but her parents objected to him and as she was a dutiful daughter and cared nothing for him, she told him she could keep company with him no longer. It seems that this made him desperate and as he had several times seen her on the street during the day with her friends he also grew very jealous which, undoubtedly was the cause of his rash act.
About 10 o'clock Koehnke left Manning and walked to the Fischer home where be laid concealed about the premises among the bushes until about 2:30 a.m. when Charles Paulsen and his sister, who accompanied Miss Fischer home, drove into the yard. Mr. Paulsen got out of the buggy to assist Miss Fischer in alighting but when he got around to her side of the buggy she had got out. He started back to the buggy and as he was about to get in he noticed a man going toward Miss Fischer who, when about three feet from her, pulled a revolver and shot her through the heart, after which he fired two shots into his own head; either one of which would have been fatal. As soon as he could manage his team he ran to Miss Fischer but could do nothing for her as she was dead. Then turning to the man he discovered it was Koehnke. He immediately notified the girl's parents and they carried her into the house but the body of Koehnke laid where it fell until the arrival of the coroner this morning.
The parents of the girl are prostrated and have the sympathy of the entire community.
Lucie Fischer In Memorial of Lucie Fischer
August 9, 1906
Manning Monitor
A precious one from us has gone,
A voice we loved is still;
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled.
God in his wisdom has recalled,
The boon this love had given,
And though the body slumbers here
The soul is safe in heaven.
It is sad that one we cherish
Should betaken from our home,
But the joys that do not perish,
Live in memory alone.
All the years we've spent together
All the happy golden hours,
Shall be cherished in remembrance,
Fragrant sweets from mem'y flowers.
Tis hard to break the tender cord
When love has bound the heart,
'Tis hard, so hard, to speak the words:
"We must forever part."
Dearest loved one we must lay thee
In the peaceful grave's embrace,
But thy memory will be cherished
Till we see thy heavenly face.
Farewell Dear but not forever,
There will be a glorious bow.
We shall meet to part - no never
On the resurrection morn,
Tho thy darling form lies sleeping
In the cold and silent tomb.
Thou shalt have a glorious waking
When the blessed Lord doth come.
Obituary
The funeral of Miss Lucie Fischer, who met such a tragic death, last Thursday Morning,
was held from the German Lutheran Church in this city last Sunday, Rev. Johann Ansorge
of that church officiating. The esteem in which this young lady and her parents are held in
this neighborhood was demonstrated by the large concourse of carriages and citizens who
followed the remains to their last resting place in the Manning Cemetery.
Lucie Fischer was born in the home now occupied by her parents four miles south of Manning, June 2, 1888, and the eighteen years of her life were passed among her many friends who knew of and recognized her many good qualities. Her life was happy and care free, awl her loving disposition made her a general favorite with her many acquaintances who so deeply sympathize with her parents in their loss and her untimely death.
She leaves a father, mother, three brothers and three sisters, who have the sympathy of the entire neighborhood in their bereavement.
The relatives from a distance attending the funeral were: F.H. Duwe of Clayton County; Mrs. Mina Mueller of Adair; Mr. and Mrs. Mueller of Adair; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kuhl of Adair; Mr. and Mrs. William Fischer of Walnut; Paul, Julius, Herman, and Gottlieb Mueller of Walnut; and Mrs. Anna Paulsen and daughter Mollie of Creighton, Missouri.
CARD OF THANKS
We sincerely wish to thank the many friends and kind neighbors who assisted us during
the burial of our beloved child and sister.
H.F. Fischer and family.
JEALOUS IOWA SWAIN KILLS GIRL AND SELF
At the close of a dance early yesterday morning Ernest Koehnke, a young farmer, shot and instantly killed
18-year-old Lucy Fischer and then ended his own life.
Miss Fisher was the daughter of a wealthy farmer and discouraged Koehnke's attentions. He became insanely
jealous and concealed himself in the grass near her home and shot her just as
she parted from the neighbors who had accompanied her from the dance.
Minneapolis Journal, Minneapolis, Minnesota July 6, 1906