Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-29
SUICIDE.
An Honest, Hard-Working Citi-

On last Monday morning the .commu-
nifty was startled, by the news that Mr..
Rudolph Menslie, a German tanner who
lives about a mile from the court house,
on the Wellington road, had committed
suicide by hanging himself from the raf-
tiers iu the loft of his shop, which is stu
ated some fifty yards from his dwelling
house. At our first leisure moment we
repaired to the scene, and found that the
c%oroner's jury had just completed its
labors. The body of the unfortunate
man was lying in the loft. under the
place which he had selected from which
to suspend himself. The deed having
been committed on Saturday, and the
weather being cool, the body was in a
perfect state of preservation, and the
features wore an unusually natural ex-
pression-the eyes, and mouth being
closed as if in sleep. From the manner
in which he prepared himself for rolun-
tarv execution, we infer that he must,a
the time, have been laboring under men,
tai alteration. He passed q rope be-
tween his legs and over his shoulders,
and then tied a string around his body.
combining this to his person, neither of
which could have had any effect upon
the hanging process. He then wrap
ped about his neck, several times, an old
scarf, probably to a v his neck from
l%aceration, and then kneeling upon an
old lime barrel he must have tied the
rope. which was around his neck, to a
stick an inch and a half in diameter,
which he had previously fastened across
fsom n rafter to another, with small
strands of MANILA rope. Then, by push
ing the barrel away, the poor man was
launched into eternity. He must have
been determined in his effort, as his arms
being unpinioned, he could have reach
ed up to the stick and saved himself, even
at the last moment. The rope around
his neck was not tied in q moose, but in
an ordinary knot, as a person would tie
two strings together, and he died of
s~trangulation, his neck not being broken
or even marked by she rope. We knew
him well, and had many business trans
actions with him, and had always found
him to be an honest and conscientious
man. He had, no doubt, at one time.
been a man who could earn a consider
able amount of money, as he was indus.
trious and understood his business well:
but his growing deafness interfered very
much with his calling, and being in
debthe became Respondent. Kind friends
rendered all the assistance possible to
the bereaved widow, who has the svm-
patty of the entire community. We APP
pend the proceedings instituted by the
coroner:
Chris. Schawe being sworn, said: On Mon
sIie. and went Immediately to her residence: She
told me Mr.. Menslie had been absent since Sat
nra,y mornings and that his shop was locked
smined the shop and succeeded In making an
entrance BY . window; and in looking up stairs
SAW MIN hanging by the neck; this is all / know
about the matter.
Sophia Menslie being sworn. said: l am the
wife OF the deceased; he is Sc years old; a Ger
man; 3 member Of the church; Saturday morn
ing, January y. We read In the bible. and at
Tended prayers as usual; he SAID he owed some
money. and some were pressing him hard for
Il; but he could not pay it at present; that he
hoped for better times; that he was very deaf.
and difficult to talk to then he kissed me. and
went t, his shop; that is the last | ever saw of
him.. ~"
JURY's VERDICT.
We the jury, being duly sworn by John ID |
Williams, the coroner of Lafayette county, dir
Sentiy to enquire and true presentmenr make.
how and by what means RudoIpa Meuslie sainc !
t. his death. alter examining the body. and
hearing the evidence, 10 lind that he came To his
death by hanging himself with a rope, fastened
to his NECK and body. and done by himself, i'm his
work shop, near Lexington, on Saturday jan
uary =, 1878. A: BAILEY. foreman,
W. A. BETHEL
WIN. DUNCAN,
J Il. SMITH.
W ". DU<c,S, |
CHRIS >CIf.wE, !
Attest: j. ID. Williams, Coroner .