Emma
Kaempen
One
of the most troubling times in Quincy history was in 1912 when the
Pfanschmidt’s murders took place. Much was written in the three newspapers
of that day about the murders, the investigation of the case and the
evidence found. A trial was held, but the case was never solved and
the murderer was never brought to justice by the courts.
Mr. and Mrs. Pfanschmidt were interred in the Woodland
Cemetery in Quincy, but the school teacher who was staying at their
home and also killed, was buried in Greenmount Cemetery. Miss Emma
Kaempen was born 19 June 1893 and was killed on September 28, 1912.
It was a very sad time for the community as evidenced by Miss Kaempen’s
obituary.
SERVICES
FOR MISS KAEMPEN
FUNERAL
HELD AT SALEM CHURCH
Young Woman
Stood in Highest Regard in
Church
and Community
Large Attendance
of Friends
The
funeral of Miss Emma Kaempen took place this afternoon (1 October
1912) at 3 o’clock from the family residence, 327 South Sixteenth
Street, with services at Salem Evangelical Church at 3:30 o'clock.
The interment was at Greenmount Cemetery. The Salem quartet sang at
the residence, the church and the cemetery. The Rev. J. H. Leemhuis,
spoke words of comfort at the three services.
The attendance was large. Of all
the young ladies of Salem Church, Miss Emma Kaempen was one of the
most highly respected. Her parents have always been prominent members
of this congregation and she had been reared under its influence.
All the church members know the family and all who were actively engaged
in the work knew Miss Kaempen. A devout Christian girl, faithful in
the performance of every duty, charitable and amiable, it was only
natural that she endeared herself to all her co-workers. There never
was a more sincere expression of heartbroken and grief stricken members
of the family that was evidence by the community and more particularly
by members of Salem church than on the occasion of her death. Miss
Kaempen was esteemed and loved by all. The loss of the Kaempen family
was felt keenly as a loss by the entire congregation, especially by
the Sunday school in which she has been a conscientious worker.
