Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-10-03
A Peculiarly Sad Affair.


The death of George Bruesch, former
resident OF Watertown, occurred early
last Friday morning under peculiar and
distressing circumstances. He was trav-
cling from his home at Ogden, Utah, ac-
companied by two of his daughters, aged
10 and IL years, respectively, to visit his
sister, Mrs. Bruegger, and the familylof
his nephew, Deputy Sheriff N. Bruegger,
in this city, when accidently killed. The
Chicago Times of last Saturday renders
the following report of the sad and sor-
rowful affair:
When the Chicago and Alton train
pulled out at Roodhouse, in southern
Illinois, early yesterday morning q new
conductor took charge of it. In making
his round he found the two little girls
The latter, having no tickets or checks,
said their father, whom they supposed to
BE- in one of the other coaches, had the
tickets in his possession. The conductor
thereupon passed through the train and
failing to find the children's parent, made
inquiries concerning him from the pas
sengers and train men. 1t was ascertain
ed from the latter that they had observed
Bruesch passing through the cars in a
strange and confused manner, but had
not needed the mans actions, believing
them to be due to mental grief The
result of this investigation was not COM
municated to the children, and when the
yoH OF fhc cfo
ductor forwarded Geographic instructions
along the line to institute search for the
man. Accordingly the dead body of
Bruesch was found lying between the
tracks, short distance out from Louisi-
ana Station. The discovery was reported
to the conductor, who, wisely withheld
the sad news from the bereaved children.
The local police authorities were tele-
graphically notified of Bruesch's death,
and suspecting possible foul play, were
in waiting upon the approach of the
train. 1t so CHANGED that two VIGOROUSLY
bad characters were among the passen-
gers. They were held on suspicion by
the officers. Shortly afterward word was
received that a coroner inquest had been
held upon the remains and that large
amount of money, railway tickets, Jewel
ry, and other valuables had been found
upon the person This advice very
promptly exploded the existing idea that
the two men under arrest might have rob-
bed Breusch, and then to cover up their
crime had pushed him off the train. The
prisoners were thereupon released, when
the police turned their attention to the
TWO girls, who were being cared for by
the railway company. The names of the
relatives at Watertown were obtained and
they were informed of the occurrence
Word was sent back to place the children
in charge of conductor and send them
to WATERFOWL. This request was carried
out by the Chicago and Alton railroad
company, whose officials ibid everything
in their power to aid the little ones.
The little girls arrived here with theil
escort Saturday morning and have beer
stopping with their relatives still una
ware of the death of their father. II
company with their cousin, N. Brueg
ger, they leave for Chicago tonight from
whence they will proceed to their sor
rowful home. Mr.. Bruesch came her,
when lad, his father being proprieto
of the old Switzer House that STOOD OF
the corner of Main and Fourth. He wa
last employed in the store of Jesse Moul
ton and went from here to Lake Mill
where he was in business a short time
He was in his 48th year and in well-to
do circumstances.