Henry William Roetter was born in Filmore County, near Ohiowa, Nebraska, January 25, 1898, and departed this life, April 19, 1928 at Farnam, Nebr., aged 30 years, 2 months and 16 days.

He moved to a farm near Farnam with his parents, when only a lad of seven years, and later they moved into town where they have made their home for the past several years.

He leaves to mourn his death, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Roetter, Sr. and one sister, Mrs. Minnie Smallfoot, all of Farnam. Two other children had preceeded him into the great eternity.

Besides his immediate family he leaves a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held from the M. E. church at 2 o'clock last Thursday afternoon, April 13, with Rev. Geo. Seick in charge. Interment was made in the Farnam cemetery.

The Echo joins with the community in extending heartfelt sympathy to the relatives who are mourning in sorrows dark hour. May peace and comfort be found with Him, "who doeth all things well."

Farnam Echo, vol. 41, no. 24, 19 April 1928

Henry Roetter Jr. Ends His Life With Gun Tues.

410 Shot Gun Used
Despondency Believed Cause of His Action

The community was greatly shocked at the tragedy that occurred Tuesday morning, when Henry Roetter, Jr. only son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Roetter, Sr. committed suicide by shooting himself.

He had been in the habit of going hunting of mornings, but Tuesday morning he had gone out to harness the team preparatory to hauling in some feed, but when Mr. Roetter went out to the barn he did not see Henry, so thinking he had gone some place went back to the house to wait his return.

None of the family saw him take the gun from the house, but little Oscar Siemiller, a neighbor boy saw him going down the pasture with the gun so watched him as he had been getting the rabbits which young Roetter killed for his chickens. When about 35 or 40 rods down in the pasture he turned the gun, a 410 gauge shot gun, on himself and fired. The discharge entered through the lower part of the neck, cutting an artery and probably the jugular vein. Death came before help arrived.

As soon as he saw him fall, little Oscar rushed and told his father, who in turn informed Mr. Roetter of what had happened and called Dr. Reeves.

Despondency over ill health is the only reason that can be given for his act. The shock was a severe blow to his mother, who is convalescing from a recent operation.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon and burial will be made in the Farnam cemetery.

Farnam Echo, vol 41, no. 23, p. 1, 12 April 1928