PIERCE COUNTY CALL; Pierce, Nebraska; June 11, 1914

Death of Grandma Breyer

Mrs. Maria Breyer passed away Tuesday evening at 11:20 p. m., after an illness covering several months. Deceased was aged 73 years, 8 months and 26 days. She was born in Germany, her maiden name being Maria Korth. She was united in marriage to Albert Breyer, they coming to America and locating in Wisconsin in 1862. In the year 1871 they came to Nebraska and located on a homestead east of Pierce. Deceased was numbered among the pioneers of this county whose ranks are growing thinner with each succeeding year. She experienced many hardships and privations in the early years. Into her life also came a fearful tragedy in which her husband and a daughter were murdered in cold blood. This occurred on the home farm eleven years ago next September and is vividly remembered by all living here then.

Grandma Breyer was the mother of eleven children, of whom only four survive. These are Richard, Mrs. Julius Bauman and Gottlieb, living at Pierce and Mrs. Lena Schellen, of Winnetoon. She also has three brothers living, viz: Wm. Korth, of Pierce, Herman Korth, of Norfolk, and Albert Korth living in Wisconsin.

Short funeral services will he held at the home tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock and at 2:30 o'clock at St. Johannes' church east of Pierce.

PIERCE COUNTY CALL; Pierce, Nebraska; June 18, 1914

(Photo)
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Breyer in Pioneer Days.

The funeral of the late Mrs. Maria Breyer took place last Friday afternoon at St. John's Lutheran church east of Pierce, Rev. H.A. Hilpert conducting the services. The last sad rites were attended by a large concourse of relatives and old friends and neighbors who thus paid their respect to a grand old woman. The funeral recalled to mind most vividly the sad services held nearly eleven years ago when the husband and daughter were laid to rest, following an awful tragedy which blotted out both lives. It was on Sept. 11, 1903, when the terrible act was committed which took away the head of the family and a beautiful daughter. Mr. Breyer was shot in his barn yard and fatally wounded and his daughter shot and instantly killed by Gottlieb Niegenfind, who had married the daughter some years previous and then deserted her. Mrs. Breyer who came running to the scene was also shot in the arm and slightly wounded. Niegenfind was later captured and hanged for his crime.