William Spetman (1830-1902)
Sources: Joyce (Hansen) George and The Daily (Council Bluffs, Iowa) Nonpareil, January 1, 1902, courtesy of Adrienne Karr
DIES WHILE ALONE
End of a Hermit Life in Oak Township.
William Spetman, a resident of Oak township, died some time last week at his home in that township, about ten miles northeast of Glenwood. The body was found on Friday afternoon by Charles Burke, a tenant on the place, and was so badly decomposed that those who saw it concluded that death had occurred several days before.
Mr. Spetman was a rather eccentric character, and though 67 years of age, lived entirely alone. His health has been bad for some time, and the neighbors had been carrying food to him and rendering him such assistance as he needed, but he would not have any one live with him, though abundantly able to pay for a housekeeper and servant. Mr. Burke last saw Spetman on the Saturday previous to his death. He was then sitting in the doorway reading a newspaper.
Justice of the Peace J. G. Wilcox was notified of the conditions under which the body was found, and a search of the premises was conducted under his supervision. A match box was found containing $23.14, a stone jar containing $550 was found hidden in oats up stairs, and other valuable papers were also found. These were brought to Glenwood and filed with County Clerk Potter.
Aside from this property Mr. Spetman owned the farm of 260 acres of land on which he lived, 20 head of cattle, 5 horses and other personal property valued at $800.
Among the peculiarities of the deceased was the habit he had of nailing up his windows and doors and remaining out of sight for considerable periods.
He had a brother in Omaha and one in Council Bluffs, and we understand that Mike Flammant of Mineola has been appointed administrator of the estate.
FOUND DEAD
William Spetman Passes Away Alone at His Country Home
William Spetman, aged 72, was found dead in his bed last Friday morning at his residence in Oak township. The house is near the Pottawattamie county line. Charles Spetman who resides north of Henton, five miles away from his brother William's place, called Friday to see William about some fence building, when he discovered that his brother had expired all alone. Deceased was a bachelor and did not care to have any one reside with him. His health had not been good of late. The remains were interred on the farm. The sum of $550 was found hidden in an oats bin, and $53 in the box used for stove wood.
FOUND DEAD IN HIS BED.
William Spetman Passes Away Alone In His Country Home.
William Spetman, aged 72 years, a brother of H. H. Spetman of this city (Council Bluffs), was found dead in his bed Friday morning at his residence in Oak township in Mills county, about nine miles south of this city. The remains were discovered by neighbors and it was evident that Spetman had been dead for at least two days. Spetman was a bachelor and had lived by himself for years. For some time past he had been in failing health, and while the neighbors were in the habit of taking him food and rendering what assistance was possible, it happened that no one came near the house for fully two days after he died.