The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-08
SUICIDE.

ling tof the limbs and Erysipelas with
great success.
SUICIDE.
Peter s. Albert, Weary OF Life, Hangs
Himself.
On Sunday morning shortly after seven
clock, Peter s. Albert. was discovered
by Christopher Anderson, a man employ.
ed by Mr. John j. Stroeh.e as teamster.
hangingin the barn at the latter's residence
No. 627 Seventeenth Street. Mr.. Albert,
an old resident of Rock Island was the
father law of Mr.. Stroehle, 10 whose
house he resided, where the fatal act was
committed, and he seems to have preme-
ditated suicide for some time. 1t appears
on Thursday morning. last he was seen by
his daughter trying to set up in the barn.
and at noon of the SEINE day Mr.. SGroehle
discovered two pieces of nev rope with
loops in them, which he took away, but
was not fully convinced of Albert's inten-
tions. On one occasion previous to this
his movements had excited suspicion On
Saturday Albert was about as usual and
borrowed fifteen cents to go across the
river, but it is probable he used the
money in the purchase of rope Early
on the evening Of tho same day
Mat Frederickson met him at the
corner of Second Avenue aud Seventeenth
street. They went into neighboring
saloon together and had glass of beer.
| The conversation turned about the murder
of Col. Davenport years ago and where
the murderer was hanged. The parties
differing somegha; il their views of this
mstter left the saloon still discussing the
subject Mr.. Fredrickson walked along
with Mr.. Albert to the gate OF his home at
| 627 Seventeenth street, where he left him.
This was about 8 o'clock and seems to have
been the last time deceased was seen
alone, he was not then under the Influence
of LIQUOR, but seemed more cheerful than
usual.
90 discovery of the body the relatives
were Immediately notified. the CORPSE
| lowered, and the authorities communicated
| Sith. Marshal Halves at once notified
Coroner Morris. who shortly after 9
o'clock yesterday morning empaneiied a
jury as follows: C. w. Halves, foreman.
| A. HamDIin, Geo. w. Henry. j. p Tay
lor. Bernard McCabe and George Stocker.
At the inquest, Mr.. Strochie testified that
tir. Albert's habits had been irregular
especially during the last six months, and
that he was 8 victim of the morphine
habit. judging from this the intemper-
ance Of the deceased, and the fact that he
/ had locker in the barn in which he kept
| liquor, he must have drank to excess be-
| fore be committed the fatal act Further
weight was also given TO this view Of the
case by some empty beer bottles being
| found at the head Of the cellar stairs yes
terday. 4 lantern was found 10 the barn,
the oil all burned cut aud the glass consid
erablg smoked opt and this .lantern is
supposed to havs bees Gstd by the
deceased to see while he adjusted the
rope. The rope was rew half inch man
lila, eighteen feet long, and ca one end
there was loop, five inches long formed
| by wire and shoemaker wGx ends by
means of which a moose was made, The
other end OF the rope vas wound three
times round joist then drawn through C
hole IN the partition and a knot tied TO
make it secure A step ladder was found
which had been used evidently while the
moose was being adjusted to the neck, and
then kicked away, as the body was entire
ly suspended and the feet were about
twelve inches clear Of the foor.
After hearing the testimony the jury
returned verdict that deceased commit
ted suicide by hanging. 10 an inside
pocket Of Mr.. Abert's coat. Coroner Nor.
ris found a newspaper. on which was
written, in the handwriting of the deoeas-
ed. the following:
L was born January 25tk, 1902. and
came west to Rock Island March 8th,
1880 When | came to this city / started
a meat market and carried it on seven
years, when found it did not pay. For
three years dealt IN stock. buying and
driving them to Dubuque. Then the hank
! broke and L lost seven thousand dollars IN
| the State bank of Illinois, and three thou
sand dollars in thcShawDeetown bank; also
fifteen hundred dollars 10 the Miners
bank of Dubuque
L am tired of living. | am almost eighty
years old, and this is the third time have
tried TO kill myself
L love everybody. have the best wife
and children that ever lived ! give my
love to all that are living, and may you all
live to q good old age.
It is now 2 o'clock. and | leave this
world. | wish everybody we'll. | want to
be dead before you bury me, and / want
DIR. Gregg to examine me.
When you find that | am dead, bury
me with my clothes on in my cemetery lot. |
w. l.. Sweeney will take care of the body |
and don't let anybody look upon me for / |
have done nothing wrong, but can't do |
right. l am tired of living. Good by"
Mr.. Albert WIS well known iu the COM
munity, and had been resident for a |
number Of years as the above shows, He
at one time occupied prominent position.