Emma Tornowski

The community was greatly shocked yesterday morning as the news that Mrs. Emma Tornowski, wife of Ernest Tornowski, had taken her own life, while at the home of her parents in Wall Town. She had gone there to assist her parents in some work and stayed over night committing the act in the morning. There seems to be no explanation except that she was temporarily irresponsible as there is no other cause that can be given. She retired in the evening seemingly happy and contented, and arose in the morning apparently the same. Nothing was seen of her after she came from her room in the morning until she was missed and a search instituted. She was found in a pool of blood with two gashes in her wrist and her throat gashed so severely that the wind pipe and jugular vein were both severed.
The community joins the family in deep sorrow in their sad bereavement.
The deceased was aged 4? years, 10 months, and 17 days. The funeral services will be held at her home north east of Roberts tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at one o'clock, Rev. Shumacher officiating. Interment in Lyman Cemetery.
The obituary will be published next week.

--Roberts Herald. 24 March 1920.

Emma Shultz, daughter of August and Augusta (Kietzman) Shultz, was born in Putman County, Illinois, May 6th 1870, and departed this life at the home of her parents in Melvin, Tuesday morning, March 23rd, 1920, aged 49 years, 10 months, and 17 days.
At the age of twenty years Miss Shultz was married to Ernest Tornowski at Melvin, Illinois. To this union were born six sons and two daughters all of whom survive her. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Tornowski have lived on their farm north of Roberts which is still the family home.
The deceased was a true wife and mother, a kind neighbor. During the war, two of her sons were called to the front and one of them was very seriously ill for many weeks while in camp. This strain upon her mind may have been almost more than she could bear, and may have been the underlying cause which lead to the taking of her life. During all this time however she was patriotic in the cause of her country and she and her family assisted much in raising funds for the Red Cross and other was benevolences.
The night before her death she went from her home to that of her parents to assist them in some work. That night she went to bed apparently happy and contented. The next morning she arose early and only met a few members of the family before she was missed and then was found with her throat severed and two gashes in her wrist, she was still alive but passed away soon after.
She leaves to mourn her death her husband, four sons and two daughters all of whom live in this vicinity and all but the two oldest at home. They are William, August, Gottleib, Edna, Henry, Ernest, Emma and Henry (I can't read this very well, I doubt there is two Henrys). She also leaves her father and mother four brothers and two sisters, Emil, Otto, and Gus Shultz of Melvin and William Shultz of Renssalaer, Indiana, Mrs. William Zabel of Renssalaer, and Mrs. Kading of Thawville.
The services were held at the home, Thursday afternoon at one o'clock. Rev. Schumacher, pastor the Lutheran Church of which she a faithful member, officiating. The remains were then laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery.
Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. William Zabel, Mrs. William Wacher, Mrs. Art Miller and William Schultz of Renssalaer, Indiana.

--Roberts Herald.  31 March 1920.