On This Date in Minnesota History: October 12

October 12, 1918 – Rather than being burned alive during the Cloquet/Moose Lake fire and crazed by the loss of his home and farm at Grand Lake, St. Louis County, Robert Bruce Postal shot and killed Mary Van Tasel, his common-law wife, and then committed suicide.

Postal shot Van Tasel through the head, decapitating her. He was about 60 while she was approximately 55 years old.

The origin of “going postal”?

Duluth News Tribune; “Crazed By His Loss, Kills Wife Then Suicides”; Oct. 15, 1918; p. 1.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=134165671&ref=acom

http://www.bestplaces.net/images/city/9906368_mn_grand_lake_township.png

Cloquet/Moose Lake Fire Part I, see Oct. 1, 2012 blog.

Cloquet/Moose Lake Fire Part II, see blog Oct. 12, 2012 blog.

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

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