Schmidt, David (1913-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Apr 26 p. 1

Birth date: 1913

text of obituary:

Tragedy Claims Five In Manitoba Family

FUNERAL SERVICES AT CARMAN FOR AGED PARENTS, THREE CHILDREN

Altona, Manitoba. — Five members of one family lost their lives in a tragic shooting in the Graysville community on April 14. Two aged parents, a son and two daughters died at the hands of a son and brother with a hunting rifle.

Joint funeral services for Henry H. Schmidt, 71, his wife Sarah, 68, their daughters Mary 46 and Olga 35, and a son David 38 were held on Thursday afternoon, April 19, at the Carman United church. Rev. Henry Funk of Carman and Bishop David Schulz of Altona officiated.

No reason was determined immediately for the action of the son and brother, John Henry Schmidt, who gave himself up at the Carman R.C.M.P. detachment about an hour after the shooting.

Three other brothers and three sisters are among the survivors.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 3 p. 1

text of obituary:

SLAYER OF PARENTS SISTERS & BROTHER ENDS OWN LIFE

Winkler, Manitoba. — One of the most tragic murder cases in Manitoba history came to a close April 19 when John Henry Schmidt, 31, ended his own life by hanging in the Headingly jail.

Four days earlier he had taken the lives of his parents, Henry and Sarah Schmidt, two sisters and a brother at their farm home in the Graysville district. All were shot with a hunting rifle. An hour later the younger brother gave himself up, but reportedly never gave any indication of the reason for his action.

Over 2,000 persons attended the multiple funeral services for the five victims at the Carman United church on April 19. Bishop David Schulz of Altona officiated, and burial was made in the Carman cemetery.