The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-08-24
a MELAN HOLY SUICIDE.
Lcuis Mandazi Shoots Bimsel
tlTO gh the Head.
IN7EREsrIsa HISTORY OF Els LIFE

We are called upon this morning to
chronicle a distressing suicide, and
one which has caused profound SEN
sation in our community. Maj Louis
Mandazi was found dead yesterday
morning, near the rivers edge, on the
farm of Benoni StinsoD, short dis,
lance below the city. with a bullet
hole through the right side of his
head 1t is supposed that he killed
himself about o'clock Sunday night,
as a fisherman heard the report Of a
pistol about that hour, although he
paid no particular attention to it.
The body was discovered By a little
boy, who was engaged in running a
trot line. The man was lying on his
back, with his pistol by his side, and
his hat and coat on log near by. 1t
is supposed tbatghe died Instantly.
A coroner,s inquest was held over
his remains, and the jury returned a
verdict of suicide.
The deceased was about forty-tBo
years of age, and was a native Of some
southeastern province of Austria.
He served in the Austrian army
several years. and took part in the
famous revolution of '48. He came
to this country in 1850. and shortly
afterwards enlisted in the First Regi-
ment, q. s. Infantry, ard rose to the
rank of Sergeant Major. He served
in this regiment for many years, and
spent most of the time in the north
western part Of Texas, and the dull
monotony of campl life was occasionally
relieved by fighting with the Indians
on the Plains.
When the rebellion broke out his
regiment was stationedin Kansas, an 4
he participated in nearly all the early
battles of the campaign in Missouri.
Els life has been one of adventures,
and from the accounts we have got Of
his history we could write great
deal. In the battle of Springfield,
Missouri, where the lamented General
Lyon was killed, Mandazi was shot in
the head by musket ball; his eyes,
hair, face and clothes were clotted
with blood, but on coming to his
senses he discovered that the. ball had
struck him 10 the forehead and
glanced off. After staggering through
the woods all night, being weak from
loss of blood, he reached farm house
early in the morning. and boldly en-
tered, not knowing or caring whether
occupied by friend or foe. Fortp-
nately, the family turned out to be
stauneh Unionists, and did allin their
power TO alleviate his intense suffering
Bands of rebels prowled around, but
the Union family managed to keep
Mandazi hid, and finally assisted him
to make his escape.
He was offered commission ia the
Tenth Tennessee Infantry, by Andy
johnson and Gen. Gillem, and, on
account Of his superior abilities, was
soon afterwards promoted to Major,
and shortly after was appointed on
Gen. Gillem's staff. He was a good
soldier, and through his whole career
was an honest man, and brave and
cool in battle.
The cause of Major Man6azf con-
hitting suicide is not exactly known.
He was Respondent on account of be
ing out of business, and had at vaTi-
Gus times intimated that he was not
satisfied with life. He was reticent
and dignifed, and could at any time
have secured a position in the regular
army, if he had made any effort to
do so. Some four years ago he was
connected with the County Auditors
Office as clerk. He was afterwards
engaged with Mr.. III, r. Schroeder,
who shortly sold cut, which threw
Mandazi out Of situation. ana
The affair is a melancholy one, and
many warm and sincere friends, who
would gladly have assisted Mandazi,
sadly regret his uutimely taking off.
The frequency of suicides is beeom-
ing fearful, and our people In this
age Of civilization seem TO be sadly
afflicted with moral cowardice, and
have not the manly strength to buffet
with fortune; or, as is more probable,
they are insane on some subject, and
end their lives 10 drive away care and
thought. At all events. no matter
what the cause, the terrible increase
Of this mania Is fearful to contem-
plate,