The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-11-15
w. F. cooLBAuGH
TIE MYSTERY CONNECTED WITH HIS
SUICIDE AS YET UNEXPLAINED.
A Snort Sketch of His Character and Ca
reer.
From the chicago journal, Ian.

He remained away all day, and was not
seen at the bank until about o'clock 10
the evening, when he dropped in for few
moments aod FASTENED out, being seen BY
no one but Pat. )" the janitor. Not return
ling to his supper, and remaining abroad
until late in the evening. his friends began
to entertain apprehensiOns regarding him,
and to institute search. Mr. Fuller, with
James CooIbaugb, son of the deceased,
procured carriage aud searched the city,
calling at all the hotels and wherever it
seemed at all likely that the missing father
might be found, but 10 vain Mrs. Cool
baugh and Mr.. G. j. Council. formerly
cashier in Coolhaugh's bank, and friend
of the family, instituted similar search,
but it proved futile, and they returned to
the residence late in the evening. Mr.
Fuller and young Mr.. Coolbaugh continued
the search further, and until three o'clock
in the morning, but could not find him.
At about clock they called upon Assis-
tant Superintendent Dixon. and, apprising
him of the anxiety they felt, engaged the
assistance of the police. The first intima-
ton of the whereabouts of the deceased
received by the family was that so start
llDgl gly thrust upon them at I o'clock this
mOrning-Mr. Fuller being the first to
know the fate of the suicide, aud the fam
lily beiug next aDprised Of it by the start
ilug appearance at their door of the life
less remains
The house this morning was visited by
various friends, but no one was admitted
from the press.
The residence of MIR. Fuller, AZ Lake
avenue, was visited, but Mr.. Fuller sent
down word that he could not be seen. He
was very much distressed about the trage-
dy, and also about the condition of his
wife. who was seriously prostrated by the
painful death OF her father. While the
reporter waited at the door. Mr. Fuller
wrote the following containing his views
of the cause of the suicide:
Mr.. Coolbaugh had been somewhat
broken in health for several years, aud
subject FROM time to time to fits of de-
pression. He recently returned from a
brief European tour, and in apparently
much better health than when he left
about the middle OF July. He had been
in excellent spirits up to Monday, but un-
doubtedly became depressed, and in sud
den meutai alteration committed a deed
which in his senses he would have regard
ed with horror.
1t was ascegtajned by tie reporter, who
called this morning at various places in
l the neighborhood of the tragedy, that nc
one had heard shot fred either during
the night or in the morning.
No one can ever know the mental pro
cesses by which MIR. Coolbaugh came t,
the determination to take his own lite, ol
what thoughts were rushing through biz
brain when he pulled the trigger. Blu
whatever was his condition, however rea
: son may have tottered on its throne b.
o did not forget his old personal and poiitica
a friend, Stephen A. Douglas. and wished f.
q die iu the presence Of his ashes. There j
j something iuexpressihly touching in thi
circumstance, and is convincing proof tha
: the deceased banker went out of the worlt
e whose burdens he could bear 10 longe
y with the recollection of a great friendshi
y at least one of the uppeTmost thoughts i
q his mind
1t 1t is generally believed that Mr.. Coo
# baugh was l4boring under temporaI
insanity. A representative of the J0uTRG
had conversation with Mr.. F. H. Wins
,e ton this morning. That gentleman state
d that he had, had a conversation with Nj
r CooIbaugh few days ago, and that h
i was so unlike himself, both in acts an
conversation. that he was clearly of th
opinion that Mr.. Coolbaugh had bee
laboring under temporary insanity fC
some days past,
Mr.. Council, the gentleman mentlone
ar above, and Mr. w l.. Fawcett, also state
= that such had been their observation {
q the deceased. The latter said that sine
the great fire Mr.. Coolbaugh mad bee
- greatly broken 10 health, and sought relit
70 in all ways, especially by travelling II
in deceased had frequently expressed to ii
an speaker that he apprehended stroke
10 paralysis from a strange sensation he te
70 in his left side through its entire Iengtl
Mr.. Coolbaugh was a man who gloried
bis physical strength. and his ailmen
u seemed to prey upon his mind,
Is The news of the suicide was brought
u the bank at aD early hour this mornin
III and caused surprise and sorrow among th
- many employees and officers of the inst
tuition, with whom Mr.. Coolbaugh W;
popular. There was found, however,
difference of opinion as to the cause of tt
suicide aud the past condition of the mir
81 of the deceased.
eu During all the morning there were an
lei ious depositors of the bank coming In
make inquiries as to the truth of the new
3" and as to bow it would affect the ban
IT'S They also gathered iu knots on the sid
ne walks, around the bank on Washingtt
ne and La Sale streets, and by the board
trade, and talked over the sal affai
ne There were plenty around who had Sc,
oI' the body and we're able to satisfy
: rn curiosity as to the certainty of the rum
ne which travelled to all parts of the city.
rS' The following circular has been issu,
from the bank:
TT OFFICE OF THE UNION NATIONAL BANK, !
II. sCHIcAGo, Ill, November ID, 1877.
ate To our CORRESPONDENTS:
lst w. f. Coolbaugh. late president of II
Ed bank. committed suicide this morniu
ent The act was not caused by fnaDc
troubles either of his own or this ban
nd The bank is not only solvent but special
he strong and sound, and its business W
for not be interrupted by this sad event,
ted G. I. WHEELER, Vice President.
tie g. A. IVES. Cashier.
Mr.. A. D. Hayward, of Hyde PaI
came in on the steam train this mornir
reaching Douglas place about ten minut
se- before Z, very soon after daylight.
alighted from the tram and saw the bo
on the steps of Douglas monument.
tee thinks he must have been one of the e
the who saw it. Mr.. Coolbaugh was appare
ion y sitting on the steps ewhen hesshot bi
Ind self, and fell back uron them,i dead.
elr small silver-mounted pistol lay by his si
for Mr.. Hayward says the body was gu
cold at the tune. which leads him to
conclusion that the deed was commit
between 4 and clock. Soon after FL
lcis ward arrived there. Mr.. Melville
ton Fuller, who lives close by. and who i
'islt SOD in Law to the deceased, came to
the snot He gave one look at the boay ,