River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-22
Suicide OF a Prominent Banker u
Chicago.

The city was startled on the morning
Of the 18th by the astounding intelligence
that Hon William r. Coolbaugh. presi-
dent of the Union National bank, had
been found dead az the foot Of the Doug
las monument. The rumor proved to DC
too true About & 80 o'clock in the morn
ing breakman on one of the Michigan
Central freight trains, saw. as his train
was passing the Douglas monument, north
of the foot of Thirty-ffth street, q man
lying on the steps and apparently dead,
and upon examination il proved TO be that
Of the well known banker. Mr.. Cool
baugh left lis home yesterday morning
his wife called for him IN the evening
but Mr.. Coolbaugh not being ready 70
leave, she started home without him.
This is the last time she saw him alive. He
left the bank, stating TO the watch bis IN
tention of returning In q few minutes.
He did so, remained but q minute and
then again lett, but il appears did not re-
turn home Mr.. Coolbaugh's domestic
relations We're far from pleasant. II is
claimed too free use of intoxicating bev-
erages, not on his part alone. had thrown
pail over his latter life. One OF the
sources Of trouble which preyed upon Mr..
Coolbaugh's mind was the 0isgraceful
conduct Of his brother. Nyse Coolbaugh
is the husband Of Jennie Wilkins, the
notorious keeper OF q well known bagEio
In this city Geo. Nyse Coolbaugh was
superintendent Of military railroads dur
ing the war, and was stationed IN ST.
Louis In 1854. There he met Jennie
Williams, then respectable girl and
married her.
Hon. william F. Coolbaugh was born
In Pike county, Pennsylvania, July LIST,
1921. The advantages be enjoyed for an
early education were limited in the ex-
IRENE. At the age of fourteen, with his
limited education and without friends or
money, young Coolbaugh left bis home
to seek his fortune "a Philadelphia. he
engaged as an assistant porter IA s mer-
camille house. He rapidly gai aed the
esteem and confidence Of bis employers,
and at tue age of eighteen was made the
con6dential clerk Of the firm. Soon after
the firm engaged IN an extensive business
and sent him to the West and Southwest
10 manage their interest. He continued
ia tileir service until be became Of age,
when he entered into business On his WI
account. Determined TO work for him
self alone, he located in 1872 Al Bufling-
ton. Ia. and engaged in the dry goods
business and assumed prominent posi-
ton as politician.
The career Of Mr.. CoOlbaugh as q bank
er In this city Is well known. he engag-
ed ID business before the disastrous year
Of 1871. and was 8 heavy loser. al that
sisne IT was vel known il banking cir .
cles at that time that be favored com
promise by the payment Of 50 cents on
the dollar and was reluctant 70 resume
business unless some such adjustment
nouId he made. BE was 0Ferruled al the
time. and after an inspection Of the bank
br the comptroiler Of theicurrency resumed
business. In June Of 1875 be was one Of
ths first to succumb 70 the pressure.
Subsequently, his bnnk was opened Ion
business far dsy On two. but a second
thought was taken and Il was closed, but
ultimately resumed business Ar, Cool