Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-02-28
DRIVEN TO DEATH.
Poison Taken in Desperation
From Want--A P1tlful
Letter.
snecinl to Commercial Gazette

sneeial to Commercial Gazette.
BALTIMORE. Feb. 20.-A startling
double tragedy was enacted In the
CITY of Baltimore this morning, the
victims being Isador Flatau and his
wife, an elderly couple, who it is be-
lieved were prompted by extreme pow
erty to end their existence by poison
ing themselves. Very little is known
about them, as they came here from
Richmond, Va, and appear to have no
relatives; but it is believed they were
Germans. Flatau it is said came to
Baltimore in the hope of obtaining en-
ployment in an insurance office, but he
failed to secure it, and for some months
the couple, aged upwards of sixty
years, had been occupying rooms at
the house of Mr.. Gollinghorst, Ger
man. Since yesterday morning the
latter heard no noise in their depart
ments, and feeling uneasy this morn
ing about III O'Clock be proceeded up
stairs and knocked at the door. He
received no response except the bark
ing of a small Spitz dog which the
couple owned. Becoming alarmed he
FASTENED down stairs and summoned
officers. Together they proceeded to
Flatau's apartments, but their repeat
ed rapping received no response. Fl
| nally a locksmith was sent for who
opened the door, when a borrifying
spectacle presented itself On bed
near the door were stretched the bodies
of Flatau and bis wife cold in death.
On the foot of the bed was the dog,
who had kept up an incessant barking
all the time the officers were endeavor-
ing to force the door and they were
greeted on their entrance with furl'
ons barking.
A PITIFUL LETTER.
In the room was found large wal
let beside which was lying letter ad-
dressed in a neat Eand, ITO the Coro-
ner of the City of Baltimore" On the
foot of the bed was bottle labeled
"prussic acid, poison" The letter
was as follows
FEBRUARY Is, 1883.
Dear SIR: consider it my duty to
notify you that | and my wife were
compelled to commit suicide by taking
laudanum arrived here from Rich
mond two months ago. Could Eot
find any employment and my means
are exhausted. Mr. Gollinghorst, my
landlord, and his wife, to whom l owe
one months rent, So, treated me last
Saturday night in such a shameful
manner as could be expected only from
the very lowest class of Dutchmen, of
whom they belong, who have been
shipped as paupers to this country
begged both to give me another
weeks time and offered security, but
they acted like brutes and would not
listen to my most earnest request.
| hope the few effects have will pay
for our funeral expenses and wish to be
buried together. On the table in my
room / leave a watch, four pawn tick
cts, etc. Yours,
IsIDoR FLATAU,
OTTILLIE FLATAU, bis wife.
A gold.headed ebony cane was found
in the room, on which was the in
scription, Presented to F. Flatau by
his friends, 1865" and on the head
were the following names: Captain
w. II. Stark, Captain r. Mason. Cap
tain J. III. Mason, Captain E. Close,
Captain III. Brant."
THE FAITHFUL DOG
An affecting incident in connection
with the inquest transpired. The dog,
which seemed to be deeply attached to
the unfortunate couple, refused TO leave
the room and had to be forcibly re-
moved by a policeman, who only sue
ceeded In getting the half starved ami
NAL out after he had wounded it badly.
In accordance with the diving request