On This Date in Minnesota History: October 15

October 15, 1911 – The accidental discovery of the emaciated body of a man in the woods just east of Duluth this afternoon solved the mystery of the disappearance of Dr. John Jackola, who had been missing since June 21. For weeks organized searching parties hunted for the man, but without results.

Diaries in his coat established his identity, the features being unrecognizable.

The popular theory is that the man committed suicide in a fit of melancholia. He had always been considered eccentric, and after his return from the East last spring, where he had become notorious for his attempted attentions to Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont, he appeared moody.

Born in Finland, Dr. Jackola was approximately 35-years-old. He came to this country and worked as a laborer, later studied medicine both here and abroad and was one of the leading physicians in Duluth. Recently he had been interested in women’s suffrage and this spring gave several lectures to prominent clubs in New York and Brooklyn.

It was while on this trip East that his attentions to Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont became offensive. So persistent was he that the society and suffragette leader caused his arrest.

Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont¹

On his promise to discontinue his unappreciated attentions, he was released and he returned to Duluth. His escapades in New York evidently preyed on his mind as he acted quite differently upon his return.

On the evening of June 21 he left his apartment at the Kitchi Gammi Club and was never seen alive again. He has no relatives in this country. Dr. Jackola had established a lucrative practice in Duluth and was believed to have been wealthy.

Kitchi Gammi Club, Duluth, Minn.²

An investigation of his affairs was made recently on account of his prolonged absence and everything was found to be all right.

Life insurance policies for large amounts, the premium for which came due in July while he was missing, were permitted to lapse. He had written several volumes in Finnish and was interested in the progress of the people of his native land.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Body of Dr. Jackola Is Found in Duluth Woods. Recently in Limelight Because of Arrest Caused by Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont. Escapades in New York Believed to Have Unsettled His Mind—Missing Since June.”; Oct. 16, 1911; p. 1.


¹https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alva_Belmont#/media/File:Alava_E_Belmont.jpg

²Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Oct. 15, 2015,
as long as acknowledgement included.

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