Claud Eldon Ober

Source: Sauk Centre Newspaper, Sauk Centre, Minnesota, Thursday, December 29, 1932. Pg. 1

C. E. Ober Ends Life By Hanging Self

Deed Committed At Palmer House Pool Hall Monday at 5:30 P.M.

3 COMPANIONS NEAR BY

Remains Taken to Brewster, Minn., Early This Thursday for Burial Monday was generally observed as a Holiday by the business and profesional ment (sic) and citizens of Sauk Centre.

The calm serenity of a peaceful community was shocked about 5:30 P.M., when word spread about the city that Claud Eldon OBER, proprietor of the Palmer House Pool Hall, had deliberately brought his early career to an inglorious end by hanging.

Three of the regular patrons of Mr. OBER’S place were enjoying a quiet game of cards when Mr. OBER stepped behind curtains put in place some months ago to keep from view the pool tables of the establishment which were dismantled at the expiration of the license July first. When he left the group playing cards nothing was thought of it.

Shortly after 5:00 o’clock Mr. OBER’S daughter brought his evening meal to him. One of the players within a foot or two of the curtains lifted it aside to inform the gentleman that his meal had arrived and was horrified to see the body of Mr. OBER dangling in the air with a rope around his neck, dead.

Just how the deed could have been accomplished without disturbing the card players is something of a mystery.

Deputy Coroner Dr. A.F. Moynihan was notified. He reported promptly. A careful diagnosis disclosed that death was caused by strangulation by Mr. OBER’S own hand, clearly a case of suicide, and a coroner’s inquest was deemed unnecessary.

Mr. OBER and his family moved to Sauk Centre about five years ago from Worthington, Minn. He purchased the pool hall about two and one-half years or so ago.

Business had not been the best of late. The pool tables were removed because they were not earning sufficient revenue to pay the license. He had been despondent for some time prior to his death. It is said that following the suicide by hanging of O.E. MILLER a few weeks ago, Mr. OBER said to a Sauk Centre business man: “Well, that’s a good way to go.” He may have been considering his rash act even at that time.

The deceased was a quiet, law abiding citizen. His close companions were not particularly numerous, but those who knew him well state that he was a genial companion.

Claude Eldon OBER was born at Primghar, Iowa; Jan. 11, 1888. He grew to young manhood in Iowa. March 8, 1911, he was united in marriage to Miss Lena GERDES. For several years following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. OBER resided at Brewster and Worthington, Minn. One daughter was born of this union, Miss Helen.

Besides the heartbroken wife and daughter Mr. OBER is survived by his aged mother, of Sedro Valley, Wash.; three brothers: Alfred F. OBER, Worthington, Minn.; Lloyd J. OBER, Harold R. OBER and one sister, Mrs. Zella SMITH, all of Estherville, Iowa. The father of the deceased and one sister preceded him in death.

The remains were taken to Brewster, Minn., leaving Sauk Centre this Thursday morning at 5:00 o’clock. Funeral services were held from the Community Presbyterian church at 2:30 P.M.

Submitted by:  Colleen Fury Boose

Nobles County Genealogy

We are in a continuous process of providing free genealogical materials to all researchers who are interested in Nobles County.  You can help us provide a better service by contributing to our web site.  We are always seeking new information that will benefit the genealogical community.  Your generosity in submitting new material to this web site will be greatly appreciated.  Please contact Bryant Walker by clicking on "Contact Us" in the above menu if you have new material to submit and please make sure that it is not in violation of any copyrights.