The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1888-07-28
DR.. A. DEMMLER COMMITS SUICIDE.
A Long Standing Threat to End His Life
Finally Carried into Effect.
lie Leaps from the Railroad Bridge into
the Ounchita River.

Thursday evening short while after
four O'Clock DR.. A. Demn.ler COM
mittcd suicide by jumping from the
Railroad bridge into the river and
drowning. AS the word vas passed
along the streets some were struck with
horror and amazement while not few
where incredulous for DR.. Demmler
had often before threatened to end his
life and none believed that he would
do it. In fact it had become standing
joke among his friends and many had
proffered him eratuitous advice as to
the most approved methods OF COM
uniting suicide and leap from the
bridge to the cool and silent waters of
the Ouachita below was recommended
as the most daring as we'll as expedi-
tious manner. DR.. Demmler was adic-
ted to occasional sprees, usually lasting
about a week, and it was only on these
occasions that he became morose and
the rash act by which he
finally put an end 10 his checkered
career. These dated back for several
years, however, and it is supposed that
commenced in fun, frequently repeated,
the idea gained such hold upon his
mind that it finally forced him to COM
NIT the rash act, for no good reason
can be assigned why he should have
desired to Kill himself He frequently
said, however, in talking of suicide,
that life to him was not worth the
battle. He had no family or response.
bilities, save his own maintenance for
which he was brilliantly endowed, but
it may be that after mature delibera-
lion, he preferred to explore the great
unknown to longer remaining in this
world, the most of which, in a some
what checkercd and eventful life of
about fifty years, he had seen.
About week ago DR.. Demmler got
On spree during the absence of his
employer, Capt. l.. d. NcI.ain, man.
ager of the Monroe Oil Mills, and told
several of his friends goodbye saying
hat he was going to commit suicide.
70 Others, more intimate friends and
for whom he ever manifested the
wa1nest affection, no wrote touching
letters OF farewell. He appointed last
at four O'clock, the day on
which he expected Capt. McLain to
arrive home as the time for jumping
from tho bridge hut Capt. McLain did
not arrive that day and he gained a
respite of twenty-four hours. Capt.
McLa;n arrived Thursday, however,
aud the poor man made his final pre-
partitions. He met Capt. McLain at
the train, walked down town with him,
and after a short conversation about
business matters went over to tue oil
mill to await the arrival of Capt. Nc
Lain who told him he would be over
in tho evening shortly after dinner.
After remaining at the oil mill to with.
in short time when Capt. McLain
was expected he came back to the
bridge and took stand near the centre
Of the middle spann to await Capt.
McLain. A negro employed at the
mill had accompanied him and en-
ieavorcd to persuade him to return to
he mil! but he would not do so and he
ef: him telling Mr.. Dick Boutz, one of
The bridge keepers, to watch him as
ne thought he would commit suicide.
Mr.. BoutZ had heard Of his frequent
threats and paid no attention to him.
short while, a little after four
o'clock, tho appointed time for the
fearful leap into the river, Capt. Nc.
Lain came along on his way to the
mill aud when in short distance of
where the suicide stood on the outside
If the rail, DR.. Demmler raised up and
taking off his hat he said Hgood. bye
Captain" and jumped, feet foremost,
INTO the waters below. Capt. NIcLain,
horror stricken, did not have time to
say a word. He saw poor Demmler
rise, make few struggles, and sink to
rise no more. All was over with him
and the battle of life was ended.
Where he jumped from The bridge
his walking stick and umbrella and a
small empty bottle labelled strychnine
was found, but it is not known at this
(Friday morning,) whether
he took the Strvchnjre Or MT lIa