The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-05-25

SHOCKING SyIyWE.-The people residing
in the First Ward of our city we're startled
at an early hour this morning t2jthJ to
learn that a revolving case Of suicide had
Just transpired in their neighborhood. It
occurred in the wagon house to the rear Of
the wagon mandatory Of B. Sreckfus,
| s,tuated on the corner Of Rock River and
Exchange streets, opposite the Farner5'
Retreat. 1t appears that the discovery was
made by Miss Kate Streckfus, a young wo.
man Of eighteen, who, on visiting the build
ing on an errand, at about six o'clock this
morning, was Mortified 10 find the dead body
of a strange old man suspended by u rope
about the neck from a oist of the building,
She Immediately raised an alarm and the
neighbors iiocked to the scene of the trag.
edy. On examination it was found that the
body yet retained a slight trace Of warmth,
and Judging by all appearances, the rash
act must have been committed at about
daylight. The face was not distorted in the
least, the ewes and mouth were closed,
while the countenance betrayed an aspect
Of repose, rather than one Of either agony
or unrest. The feet Of the dead man dang.
led within five inches Of the ground, At
his side was pile of lumber, by stepping
upon which he might have recovered him.
SELF at the moment of the commission Of
the deed, had any throes Of pain impelled
him to repent his stern determination. On
the lumber pile at his right hand side, with.
in reach, stood bottle of myrrh. The
rope used was new, halfinch bed cord,
which had no doubt been rr"onrsd for the
.o~r.eoa purpose for which it was used
The neck was somewhat discoOred, the
rope having cut deeply into it. Before
committing suicide, the stranger had re-
moved his coat, hat and shoes In his
pocket was found two slips Of paper, the
contents Of both being similar. In good
hand, written in the German language, was
the following: From much trouble, de.
sire to leave this world, and beg all good
christians, and God, to forgive me. Into
your hands, my Father, | commit my SOUL
Under this was inscribed neither name or
date. There was also found o leaf from @
school atlas, containing maps Of Oceanica,
and the eastern and western hemispheres.
On the back Of this leaf, written in most
elegant female hand was "Miss Fannie
Hammond, Martinsburg, Va" Under this
l,De written in another hand, was Sin care
Of her old dad" In his pocket was found a
wallet destitute of funds of any description.
Ga It's back was penned a name in Roman
letters, which was decipbered as George
Lehmen," or George Lepman,' of Babenz
or Bohenz.
The deceased was a smart, intelligent
looking person of about ffty.fve years of
age, With gray chin whiskers, and the fol-
loving attire black satinet coat, sack style,
lined with farmers satin black doeskin
vest common black ribbed cashmere pants,
white muslin shirt without collar, and black
SLOUGH hat
On learning of the affair, Coroner Charles
B. Knox repaired to the spot with the fol-
lowing Jurors: VIM Clark, Jacob Sharp, |
B. Streckfus, Anton Kali, Gabriel Bollman,
Thomas BoIman, Elisha Beardsley. W. II.
Pierce, John Chess, Peter Ecker, Paul Ret
TICK and A. j. Hill
Nr. Bollman testified that he met the de-
ceased on Sunday last, learned of his des-
t'uuon, had a short conversation with him,
and gava him some money. The deceased
to have been man Of some edu.
cation, and stated that he was Hungarian,
and hal left bis native land on account Of
the oppression existing there, and to seek
liberty 10 this. He inquired if there were
any educated Poanders in this section. He
further remarked that he had daughter
residing at Quincy, and intended making