The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-08-12

DEATH OF HENRY LoEFELER.- Henry
LoeAler, the cid German who took q
quantity OF oxalic acid last Friday after
noon, for the purpose Of committing
suicide, died on yesterday morning at his
residence on Eighteenth street, East
Wheeling. The proper authorities were
notified, and at 5 o'clock W. w. Miller,
Justice OF the Peace for Union district pro-
ceeded to the house and held an inquest.
The following Is the jury: John Ghoer-
ing, foreman; George Roberts, George
Hess, John Fulton, Jerry Callahan, Har.
ry Black, August Cheering, John Mckee,
John Stoup, Joseph Spencer Earhardt
Sthoer and John Boring.
The first witness called was DR.. E. A..
Hildreth, the physician Of the deceased,
and who had given him the last attentions.
He stated that he had been called in TO at
tend him on Friday afternoon last. He
found the old man in q rather %precarious
situation, showing the most violent symp.
toms OF poisoning. Upon closer exami-
nation discovered what seemed tn be
evidences Of caustic poison, which after.
wards proved true. Witness here exhib-
tied a glass in which were nearly two
ounces Of oxalic acid, which he said the
old man had drank from, and from the
effects OF which he was now dead. Wit
ness then, in reply to a question, desCrib.
ed very minutely the properties and
effects OF oxalic acid when taken into the
system. His mind, he thought, was in an
unsettled condition during the operation
Of the poison and Immediately prior to
his death. Shoemakers, he said in re-
Spouse to a question, commonly have this
acid in their shops, They use it on &C.
count Of its peculiar action on leather.
Charles LOetller, son Of the deceased,
testified as to the condition of his father
on the day OF the suicide; also as to his
domestic relations;- that for a long time
before the attempt at suicide, his life
had been daily embittered, and that he
was constantly complaining OF his misera-
BILE condition. He Said on the morning he
took the poison, ITO the devil with the
second woman" meaning his wife. Some
time ago, weary OF her opportunities, he
had willed her a half interest in the prop
erty they lived in, but with this she was
not satisfied, and renewed her demand
upon the old man for the whole OF it, but
he had firmly resisted this, and hence her
treatment Of him. The witness then pro-
ceeded to give several instances OF. their
quarTels, even up 70 the very day of his
suicide. He asked mt for fifty cents on
the morning Of that day, which l gave
him. He told me On that day that he was
tired Of living with her, and that he
thought OF doing something.
The witness then gave some other de-
tails Of similar nature as to the family
workings, and also warned Mrs. Loefler
to look out for poison about the house, as
the old man contemplated self-destruction.
Father wanted to retrace the steps he had
taken in giving his second wife half OF his
property, and went to see Mr.. Good in re.
gard to it. as he did not want her 10
have anything.
J.. Fl. Good, Esq, testified that he had
been at the house on Friday night on
business, which he was unable to transact
on account Of the condition Of the old gen.
tleman.
Mrs. Loefter, wife of the deceased,
through an interpreter, testified that she
had been ont, and coming in suddenly dis
covered him in the act Of drinking off the
contents OF the glass exhibited by DR..
Hildredth. He had fallen back immedi-
ately after drinking. l gave him some
milk, and started for some one to 20
after a doctor. l went to Charles Loef.
ler's, and when L came back he was lying
on the floor.
This was all the testimony, and the Jury
without delay returned that Loefler had
come to his death from taking a poison
known IS oxalic acid"
The inquest was held in the house in
which the deceased and bis wife lived,
which is o small one story brick with two
rooms. The old gentleman was apparent
" a rather small, weak looking man, and
his wife on the contrary is a large, burly,
masculine looking female, about so years
oil age. She gave her testimony in an of.
hand, unconcerned way, becoming almost
dramatic at times. The funeral Of Mr..
Loetler will take place to-day.