The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-07-15
ALL FOR LOVE.

SAD CASE OF SELF DESTRUCTION.
THE SUICIDE OF AN OHIO GIRL-HER LOVER
WENT BACK ON HER BECAUSE THE TWAIN
WERE NOT OF ONE FAITH, AND SHE HANGED
HERsELF-HER LAST LETTER.
The Cincinnati Gazette, of Friday, con-
tains the following mournful story: mel
ancholy suicide was committed day before
yesterday in Reading. The deceased was
the niece and adopted daughter of Mrs.
Koehl, keeper of a boarding house on the
Cincinnati pike, and was known as Mary /
Koehl, though her real name was Anna
Maria Brown. Her birth itself was an equally |
melancholy tale, which told tne De-
travail and desertion OF her mother,
who found refuge for the time
in the house of her sister, Mrs. Koehl. |
The child was adopted by the latter and
reared carefully and tenderly as the humble |
circumstances of the aunt permitted. Inc
mother died about IS years ago. Tho de-
ceased was nearly % years OF age; rather
pretty with hair nearly black eyes large, land
of very dark gray, and features regular and
we'll cut. She was sharp, Intelligent, IN
dustrious, piously-incliDed, a fsvorite In the
circle, and enjoyed the highest esteem OF all
of her peighbors. For nearly year past
she has been keeping company with a
young blacksmith, named Bernhard
Lichtenberg. The neiyhbors believed them
engaged, but it was known that his female
relatives were violently OppOSoO W ShO
match because of their difference of faith,
he being Catholic and she Protestant. A
few of her relatives undertook TO bear
similar pressure upon her, but without sue
cess. Young Lichtenberg continued his at
tentions almost up to the day of her death.
He called upon her several times last week.
Neighbors say that on Saturday night he
prolonged his visit until about l O'Clock.
He passed some hours in her company on
Sunday, and danced several times with her
at a picnic on Monday. Monday night,
however, he disappointed her. probably
Welding to home influences, by neglect
| ing his promise to go with her to ball, and
| taking another girl in her stead. The neg
| lect proved on her mind. She confded to
bosom friend that she would hang herself,
and
| PLANNED HER FUNERAL
much as she wrote in the letter below. He,
too, had his confidants, and told young
Heinrichf that his relatives gave him no
peace because he kept company with a
Protestant girl, and that he bad told Mary
on Sunday night that positively he must
not continue longer to do so. On Wednes-
| day morning she and Mrs. Koehl were wash
ing clothes. About 1890 the girl dIsap-
ps AIRED, and about an hour or two after
| ward Mrs Koehl sent an old man employed
about the place, named Jacob Weidman, TO
search for her, which he did, throughout
the premises and inquiring of the neigh
bors, but without profit. All afternoon
the unavailing search was continued, and
about quarter to 7 the old man discovered
her in the lott ofthe stable, apparently stand
ing. He called to her, but receiving no an
swer climbed up to the loft and discovered
her hanging suspended by a clothes line to
a rafter, resting about eight feet above
the floor. 1t was evident that she had first
climbed to beam at the side fastening the
nd ba lOnnad IF
around her neck, jumped down and broke
her neck. Her slippers lay almost beneath
her, and her toes touched the floor. Her
eyes were wide open, her lips firmly set, and
her teeth clenched. Mayor Helmkamp, a
nejghbor, was called, who sent for DIR. A. b.
\ Mecum, and the doctor, on his ar
rival, cut her down. He judged
that she had been dead five OF
} six hours. The only cause of the sad affair
: was furnished by a crumpled and twisted
note neatly written in German, which was
found in her pocket, addressed to Bernhard
Lchtenberl, the translation OF which, by
Mayor Helmkamp at the coroner's inquest
; yesterday, is presented below. The news OF
the suicide created sensation in Reading
, The streets were thronged during the night
and sobbiing was heard from many of the
more sympathetic. 1t broke with saddesi
effect upon the lover, whose frame of mind
can be more easily imagined than described
THE LETTER.
"DEAR BELOVED SWEETHEART. Ben
| LICHTENBERG: With broken heart 1 take
, up my pen to tell you that [ am about tc
hang myself for your sake. For you arc
dearer to me than my own life. / thought
that you could remain faithful to me, but
{ see my hopes were in vain. God will for.
: give me- think it no sin to take my own
life for see no other relief from the trou.
loc xxrhi oi, tO 10 NOT
your fault or mine, but your mother and
the Hubings will have to answer for it all
, You would never have forsaken me il il
! had not been for others who gave
you no rest day or night. Your mother
never ceased upbraiding you because
of your love for me. The ring you gave !
shall take along with me to my grave as
keepsake. Oh, Ben, L have passed many
sleepless night thinking of you, and have
shed many tears. Ii you could only have
known how truly love you, you could not
, have been so cruel to me. have never
loved any one in the world but you.
want you, my beloved, and James Callahan
Joseph Ludwig and David Asbrock to act a.
pail bearers, and Bill Heiurichs to carry my
g body to the grave. Now | must ceas,
, my writing before the tears come. o
dear Ben, must go from here, and say fare
J, well. Many, many hearty greetings to you
i oh! Ben had never thought that of you
A that you could he so Indifferent. 1 alws "
thought you would be the preserver of M
. very lite; but no, you bring me under tn
= earth. can barely forgive you, but for tn,
It sake of God must and will. You hav'
!, treated me cruelty. o, dear Lord, forgiv,
~ me that may not be lost. If do no: reacl
o heaven, Ben, because of this, then you cal
e not for you are as guilty as am. Many
n many regards send. / hope we will NEE
4 in the other world. Be kind enough to no,
3 memory to never marry and never forge
e your loving MARY KoEHL."
s WRITTEN ACROSS THE MARGIN
!. were the words, ST die of love for you
7 Without you 1 can not i've" After tn
o reading of the letter Bernhard Lichtenberg
y the lover of the deceased, was called. HI
r testified as follows: Have known the de