St. Landry democrat., 1884-02-09
SENSATIONAL SUICIDE.

a Prisoner in the Chicago Jail Swallow
RoIson-Death Preferred to Term In
the PcnitentiaFy.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Jan. 20.
The dead body OF John 7. Leasing, under
arrest for the attempted murder of Mrs.
Fred Kouzack, at go North DespIaines
sSfeet, was discovered in his cell-bunk by
the jail authorities this morning. The Off
Gals announced that heart disease was the
cause of death. A pos -mortem examina-
ton developed the fact that poison, in the
shape of potassium, was the true cause.
Doctors Bluthardt and Krost estimated that
the dead prisoner had taken fifteen grains
of the deadly drug. Small scraps of paper
Uttered the cell floor which contained
traces of the same powdered poison with
which Herman Korstein ended his exist
ence last week. Lessing did not partake
of any breakfast when the food was passed
into his cell this morning. He failed to
leave bis bed when the door was unbarred
to permit him to join with the other pris-
'oners in their daily exercise in the corri-
dor A deputy attempted to arouse the
sleeper. He touched cold and inanimate
body. Korstein and Leasing came from
the same neighborhood in Germany. They
were together a great deal during the hours
of exercise. The theory of the Jail officials
is that Korstein procured the poison and
divided it with Leasing. The presumption
is that Leasing swallowed the fatal dose
Monday night.
The following letter, addressed to his |
wife, was written on the blank pages of a |
prayer-baok found in his cell:
DEAR WIFE: You have been bad to me, but |
you will not know it until too late and your I
eyes are opened by this You can not say that I
have been as tai to you since we lived to-
Bether as youshayeto me. In the old Father
land, my country and yours, you were arrest
ed for infantieide once, but came forward IN /
spite of this and made an honest wife of YOU
This is my reward. You will often think of
me Whenl lie in the cold grave and you are in 7
the warm embrace of another husband, who
viii perhaps abuse ard beat you. Many times
your father advised me to take a stick and
correct you, but never did, because I did |
not wish to soil my hands by putting them on
your body Every one has told me was too
good for you, and that you have acted in this
way to me shows what kind of woman you
are shall always have witnesses that come
OF an honest German family, of whom no one
can say that any member was bad. was born
February rs, 1866
He also wrote a letter saying that he
wished TO have $lO8 that was coming from
MS mother In Germany returned to her
ana that he preferred death to dishonor.
None OF his family had been in the Peni-
Oehtlary, and he would also avoid that /
shame: The letter was addressed to Mrs. {
STA. 10y : : - /
The crime for whichehe was incarcerated 9
Ras the shooting of Mrs. Fred Kouzack, 1859 +
Sof6h Desplalnes street, on the night of c
november IL His wife was stopping there. c
laaVing refused to live with him ON account t
u MS absolute habits. He went to see her
YIN bue aYoWed purpose of killing her and Y
hen himself, and when ordered from the e
louse by Mrs. Kouzack, he deliberately | E
rev q revolver and fired at her, the bullet a
nUefing Just below the mouth, breaking p
er JaWbone on the left side and burvinor \ s.
Jself IN the muscles of the neck AFT the base q
I the tongue. The wounded woman was =
OF expected to live, but she is now con- =
aleScent. The epidemic of suicide which r.
as apparently set in at the jail is believed
oe noG YET over. There are several des- z
crate characters who have suicidal ten t,
:sncles, notably Charles A. Grimm, the O
Lamond thief, who has been heard to ans b
ounce, his intention of KILLING bimsaIf \
afher than go to the Penitentfary. He d
as thoroughly searched before heinz D
'Ssh INTO court to-day, where he is now | - =,
ldergoing his second trial. He foupbt a. a.
eperately during the ordeal. NOTHING in
as found upon him, but he is to be cIosel1 IA
atched, should the jury find him guilty.. C
'Ihe o. the prisoners have made the suh. 81
CO OF suicide a special topic. and one. tN
nose talent for versifying has been notad e e
'reto[ore, handed out the following marc. I'd
snce. 4 = : - : q II
3 1e ere receipt for popular suicide =, -
: nv twenty grains OF potassium cyanida ~
IL q! acel9n II noted for painless rapiditv II
: vi 'e'Ae d Jose without any timidiiy. th
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