CHARLES AUGUST BEHNKE (d. 1912)

C. A. BEHNKE MEETS DEATH IN THE LAKE
Believed That He was Overcome While Walking on Beach
BODY FOUND IN LAKE AT GREEN ST.
BULLETIN.
Physicians who examined the body of Mr. Behnke give the opinion that Mr. Behnke
suffered an attack of apoplexy and fell into the water while walking along the
beach, and the fact that the body was so near the shore and in but a little depth
of water is pointed to as upholding this belief.
Suicide or accident caused the death of Charles A. Behnke, a pioneer tailor with
a shop at 911 Washington St., late Wednesday afternoon Behnke’s dead body having
been found in the lake at the foot of Green St. by boys playing in the vicinity
shortly after 5 o’clock. The police department was notified and took charge of the
body which was removed to the Frazier morgue where it was later identified, and the
family notified.
Mr. Behnke had been in poor health for some time and recently suffered partial
paralysis of the arms which prevented him from continuing his business as a tailor
and he had become despondent. For several days it had been his practice to visit
the city water plant where the operation in drilling new wells is under way, and he
left home Wednesday at 2 o’clock intending to go to the plant. Boys in the vicinity
of Green St. discovered the dead body floating in the water near the shore at 5
o’clock.
It is possible that Mr. Behnke, while walking along the beach to or from the water
works station, was overcome by an attack of apoplexy and fell into the lake, this
being suggested by the fact that the body when found was just at the edge of the
lake. However, the theory of the authorities is that Behnke deliberately ended his
own life by throwing himself in the lake. Mr. Behnke, according to his wife, had
remarked on several occasions of late that death by drowning was the easiest a man
could have and this suggests that he may have contemplated suicide. His despondency,
which of late had been more marked, also supports the theory of suicide.
Another fact that points to suicide is that Behnke’s umbrella, which he carried with
him in leaving home early in the day was found sticking in the sand about 150 feet
south of the spot where the body was found. It is believed that Behnke, determined
upon ending his life, desired that his body be recovered for burial and that he
placed the umbrella in upright position to mark the spot where he had courted death.
The umbrella had been firmly placed in the sand, evidencing that it had been
intentionally placed there.
The identity of the dead man was not established at once, Coroner Falge, who knew Mr.
Behnke personally and who was summoned to take the body, being the first to recognize
the man. The body was fully dressed and had been in the water but a short time.
Mr. Behnke was 62 years of age, having been born in 1850, and he had been a resident
of this city a greater part of his life, having conducted the tailoring establishment
on Washington St., for a long term of years. He had not been strong for a long time
and after suffering the attack which paralyzed his arm and made it impossible for him
to continue his work, he had become despondent and it is believed that he committed
suicide in a moment of temporary insanity, due to his trouble.
Mr. Behnke is survived by his aged wife and two sons, Carl of Milwaukee and Arthur of
Oshkosh. Mr. Behnke was well known through his business and was well acquainted in the
county.
It is expected that the body of Mr. Behnke will be taken to Milwaukee for burial and
Mrs. Behnke may make her future home in that city.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, September 5, 1912
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BODY IS TO BE CREMATED
Charles Behnke’s Wish to Be Complied With By Family
In compliance with a wish which he had frequently expressed, the body of the late
Charles A. Behnke, the Washington street merchant, will be cremated. The body will be
taken to Milwaukee by the two sons of the decedent tomorrow, leaving the city at 8 and
will be cremated in that city. Brief funeral services will be held here
That Mr. Behnke suffered a slight stroke of paralysis Wednesday morning, the day of his
death, has been learned and the fact strengthens the belief that his death was not due
to suicide but was that he suffered another attack while walking along the beach and
fell into the water.
Arthur Behnke of Milwaukee, son of the dead man, may return to this city to make his
home with his mother and engage in business here.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, September 6, 1912 P. 1
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[C.A. Behnke/cause: drowning/cremated Sept. 1912/bur. on Arthur E. Behnke lot]