The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-05-05
A Sad StOry...Death of Mr.. and Mrs.
Kceler.

short extract from the Niles Union was published
IN the Advertiser Of Monday, purportng give tile
particulars OF the death Of Mrs. Keer OF Decatur, as
was supposed by the hands Of her husband, and the
suicide of Mr.. kceer Yesterday, Judge Woolcut
III. keeer, the father of the deceased called upon US
ana from him we derived iuler particulars than were
gwen by the Union. Simon ID. keeIer, the deceased,
was "A son Of judge keelcr, and was about thirty
seven years Of age. lie man Of good general
character Industrious we'-educateda and enterp,ising
aud was the owner of good farm under cultivation,
from which he derived his support. At the time Of
mas decease however, he was residing with his faith
er, upon farm owned by Judge keeier.
Mrs. kceier, the wife Of Simon o. keeler, was
about thirty years Of age, who also well educated
Intelligent and Of excellent moral cha acter, unblen
ished reputation, coireet.deportmcnt and refinement
As general rule, the utmost affection and confidence
prevailed between this couple. The deceased hus-
band, however, was subject at times t. excessive
drinking, which continued upon HIM sometimes Tor
weeks together, and which affected HIS nervous sys
ten TO great extent, rendering him almost nsano
~ such times he beset with jealousy toward his
wife, wEich rendered him fierce and oven bearing Ia
his department toward her and at such times their
previous good understanding and affection were re-
placed by feelings IN eure contrast TO those oi his
real nature
on Friday, March 25, Judge Keeler went from his
residence, 10 be gone until Sunday the 9TH leaving
MS son and wife the only persons at home For about
three weeks previous to that day, Simon o. keeler
had been constantly INDUCING To IN the use of
hqoor, so much so that ms appetite for food had for
shken ham. Before leaving hnme, Judge hecleT,
between whom and his son and wiic the strongest at
lection subsised, took occasion to adnonish his son
that Ia, drinking, # persisesln would soon lead him
10 drunkard'S grave. Judge keeer exhulted him
To put his foot down and promise that he would not
drink another drop OF liquor until the lst of January,
1884, promising hm II he would promise, and
knowing from his character that IL be promised he
would perform, to give HIM the free Use OF has farm
and 5000 The son admitted that he killing
himself with liquor bat eyaled making the promise
desired by his father, and saving, "wrl!, father,
will think it over, and when YOU come home, we will
make it all right" These were lhe last words ever
, spoken between them.
Judge kecer departed upon his business, and the
awful tragedy which followed WAS not witnessed by
tai eve, 50 tg is known. On Sunday afternoon
Judge hcelcr returned Ia his home, finding the house
shat Failing to the inmates, and with fore
botog OF cyi, h effected into the house,
when he fast object which met his eye, the
asc Of has daus hter-n-aw decent, disposed upon
the door of the sitting room, her face bound up with
handkerchief, iu burial, and the limbs straight
cned ADD stiff in death. She had been shot through
the heart. u pom entering the bedroom through the
open door, he discovered The body of his son, sf in
death, b., distorted and CONFUSED. Upon searching
Tor the III his death, the father found that "A
large piece had been shaved from lump of opium,
aud TO this agent h attributed the death of his