Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-04-05
DROWNED HIMSELF
AN UNEXPLAINED SUICIDE.

thrown into fever of excitement las
Monday evening, which was increased a.
details developed, at the announcement
that K. Krauss, Jeweler, had probably
committed suicide. 1t appears tina. few
of the more intimate acquaintances Of the
unfortunate man had for several weeks OBJ
served in his actions symptoms ofinsanity
but the matter was so jealously guarded a.
a secret that the community in general hac
not even suspicion of the man being 9TH
er than of sound mind. He attended tc
his business, sold jewelry and other article.
and made the customary repairs and did
other work which came to his shop, in the
usual manner, until noon on Monday
Just after dinner on that day he was Undue,
ed by Mr.. Schall to take walk. in the be.
lief that his mind might thereby be reliev.
ed, and at the request of Krauss they were
accompanied by Mr.. Karsky. Having
walked through Faggtown ms far as the
crossing of East Weaver Creek, Krauss
would go no further but tinsisted on return
ing to town, which he was sllowed to dc
alone, the others proceeding to McMurry
& Hupp's claim. When Shall and Kars-
ky returned, they found that Krauss had
not come back to his place of business, but
the fact seems to have created no uneasi-
ness as no alarm was given, and as before
stated the community IN general was ig-
norant of the condition Of his mind and
also of his absence.
The first that was known of the mat
ter on the streets was at supper time,
when Mr.. w. +. Junkans returned in
the wagon from Oregon Gulch Moun>
tain where he had been delivering goods.
He stated that when about half way
up the mountain he had caught up
with Krauss ON foot going ia the same di-
rection and that he, not knowing anything
was wrong, invited him to get in and ride.
Krauss at first objected and finally con,
sented only when Junkans promised that
he would not moest or detain him, or
secure or permit others to do SO. Having
obtained this promise, Krauss got in the
wagon a nd rode over the mountain as far
as Mr.. Loveridge's house where the goods
were delivered. He then requested that
Mr.. Junkans would ririve him futher
which Mr.. Junkans consented to do,
having in the meantime become convince~
ed that something was wrong with Krauss
Il be ha1 ath To tal1
him. Krauss inquired particularly as to
the location of Trinity river and whether
he could reach it without going through
junction City, Junkans informing him
that he could. Arriving at tte foot of She
new grade on the new wagon road, Jun>
kans turned the team and started back for
town, but Krauss demurred and insisted
on getting on. and continuing his way to
the river where he said he intended to
drown himself, Mr., Junkans remained
and argued the case for more than an hour
and insisted on Krauss giving up such
foolish notions and coming book to town
with him, but wthoutav Krauss wrote
in Junkans' book the address of his sister
and brother and requested Junkans to get
a couple Of pieces ofquartz left at his jew
ery store and send them to his sister in
Germany. He also gave Jnnkans the
watch and chain which he wore and told
him to give them to Sheriff Philbrook. He
informed Junkans of the reason fer his
wishing to commit suicide which we are
informed WAS to keep others out of trouble,
but the nature OF his revelation has not
been made public. Junkans finding he
could not talk Krauss out of his suicidal
intent left him to pursue his course 70 SELF
destruction and returned to tswn.
Arrived here he informed The citizens of
the occu rrences above related and Mr..
p. Nj. Paulsen and V. Lautenschlager,
went with wagon Immediately to Junc-
ton City, makimg the trip in an hour ard
half. Finding that Krauss had not
been there, they secured assistance and
with lanterns searched for the missing
man. At Slattery's claim near the mouth
ofOregon Gulch they learned that Krsuss
had been seen .here and that Bob. Slattery
had ia liked with him and told him he had
watch to fix or other work to do. Krauss
said he was of on trip but would return
to Weaver in two or three days. He was
also seen at distance near the river by
other parties who did not speak to him but
simply observed that a man answering his
description was in that neighborhood -
The hills and brush were searched that
night and the search resumed Tuesday
morning. All that could be found of hlm
were tracks leading on to II high bluff Of
rocks overhanging Trinity river just
below the mouth of Oregon Gulch. From
this bluff it seems certain Krauss must
have taken a fatal leap into the stream, as
all trace ofhim ends there, and it Is doubts
ful even that his body may be found
Hoping against hope, however, the people
of Junction City and vicinity have secured
the neighborhood and kept a sharp look
out but no trace of the missing man had
been found up to this Friday morning.
e. Krauss was native of Bavaria and
aged 30 years. He emigrated to New
York City some 10 or II years ago res
malned there seven years and accumulated
abo ut So, 600 returned To his native coun-
try on a visit and again came to New York
VIII ere he was engaged in business in 1875.
A short time after he came to California,
invested some SO, 900 in stocks and lost it.
Then went to Grass Valley, Nevada
County. and was in business there for
time not being successful he came to
Reading, Shasta county ; remained few
months and came to this place in Septem-
Der, 1878. Being the only jeweler in this
county he was doing prosperous business.
During six months residence here, he
made many friends, the community be-
ing very favorably impressed with him -
lie Was a GnAd warkman u snher industri.