Investigating county officers said he had apparently died instantly from a .22 calibre revolver found near his body. He had been in poor health for some time, but had not been under the care of a physician. Hw and his wife were preparing to go to Green Bay to consult a doctor when his death occurred.
His wife was upstairs in their home when she hears the report of the gun and found her husband's body a moment later. No Note was found and the only indication he might have been contemplating taking his life was a remark made at a recent club meeting recalled afterwards of his death. He had said then "This will be the last meeting I'll attend".