Raymond Henry Lohr

30 Years Ago - December 30, 1937

Raymond Lohr, 18, son of John Lohr of the Kirtley community, took his own life around 7:30 Christmas evening by shooting himself in the head with a high powered rifle, death being instantaneous.

Raymond Lohr, 18, Takes Own Life at Ranch Home Christmas Evening
The Lusk Herald, December 30, 1937

Tragedy Invades Home of Prominent Family Saturday Evening

Raymond Lohr, 18-year-old son of John Lohr, prominent and highly respected citizen of the Kirtley community, about 20 miles northeast of Lusk, committed suicide at about 7:30 o'clock Christmas evening, by shooting himself in the head with a high-powered rifle, death being instantaneous.

The young man had held the gun close to his head and pulled the trigger with his finger,while in the kitchen of the Lohr home. Coroner Peet and Sheriff Shoopman, who investigated the case pronounced the death suicide and no inquest was deemed necessary.

No other motive can be ascribed for the young man's rash act by the family other than than that he had been refused use of the family car to attend a dance at Harrison on Christmas night.

In the Lohr home at the time of the tragedy were Clarence Sporleder, his half-brother, and Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Carlisle. The little group had been playing cards and listening to the radio. Raymond announced his intention of retiring about 7:30, and went upstairs to his bedroom. Instead of going to bed he raised a window, went out on the roof, jumped to the ground, and is believed to have gone to the garage to see if the car had the ignition key. Finding the car locked, he apparently came back to the shed kitchen, took down the gun and killed himself.

Upon hearing the shot, the family rushed to kitchen, where the body was discovered.

Two notes, neither if which could be made out, were left, but they threw no light on the motives of the young man.

Coroner Peet took charge of the remains and prepared then for interment.

Funeral services were conducted at the Kirtley Hall at 2:00 o'clock Monday afternoon by Rev. George Jenkins. Music was in Charge of Mrs. H.J. Templeton and Mrs. Abdon DeCastro. Interment was made in the Kirtley cemetery.

Pallbearers were all personal friends of the deceased, they being John Hammond, Robert and Bud Fancher, James Peterson and Leonard Leeling.

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