Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-10-02
BENT ON DEATH.
Thrilling Scene in the River
at Chicago.
DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR A LIFE

| A Determined Suicide Resists q Gallant
Attempt at Rescue-The Fearful Con-
test Witnessed by ThronR of People
speaking No Word the Rash Unfor-
tunate PersistentIy Refuses Aid and
Sinks into the Dark Waters.
CHICAGO. Oct. 1.-TWO brawny men
struggled fiercely in the dark waters of
the north branch of the river last night.
A moment later pale face reflected on
| the surface of the river the dancing rays
of the gas lights, and then sank out of
sight 1t had been battle for a life-one
determined to save it, the other to lose it.
Theodore Ferstenberg. tall, erect, with
military step and mien, had walked up TO
the Indiana street bridge with a deadly
design on his own life The story of
broken hopes of shattered prospects, of a
life that had realized only pain and dis
appointment had lined his features with
despair and utter Wretchedness. Passers
by gazed curiously at the hard drawn face
and rigid mouth.
A Brave Mar to the Rescue.
Hesitating not a moment, Ferstenberg
sprang over the railing, and plunged into
the water with a loud splash Bridge
| tender McGraw saw the dark form shoot
ing through the air, and heard the fall.
Running quickly to the handrail, and,
throwing off his coat, hat and vest as 10
ran he, too, sprang into the black water
Ferstenberg had sunk ont of sight, but as
the plucky bridge tender fell into the
| river the form of the drowning man ap-
peared again on the surface A few quick,
strong strokes, and McGraw, reaching
out, grabbed the desperate man and tried
to keep his head above water. Ferten-
, berg twisted and struggled and wrestled
with his would-be rescuer in his determi-
nation to end his life.
The Struggle in the Water.
Crowds gathered on he bridge and
watched the tragedy being played below.
| Now the two men disappeared under the
water, but We're soon in view again. Fer
stenberg's relentless purpose was appar
ent in his continued efforts to escape from
| the man who would save his life. His
terrible earnestuess, however, was only
| shown in his movements, for he uttered
not a sound as he wrestled with McGraw.
| The bridge-tender pleaded and coaxcd
threatened and swore, but all to no pur-
pose. Ferstenberg was determined TO die
| aud die he did While the excited specta-
| tors of the weird scene were shouting TO
| the men in the water, the self murderer by
| sudden movement tore from the grasp of
| the courageous bridge-tender, his white
face peered up strangely at the black
sky, and then disappeared
The suicides History.
McGraw divel and tried to catch the
man. but failed. He waited aud SWAN
around for minute or two. but Fers-
| tenberg had accomplished his purpose.
One hour later his body was found by
| officers WI dragged the river for it. Five
years ago Fers.enberE was a colonel in
| the German army. He was highly CON
| nected. his family being one OF the most
prominent in the empire. He came 10
| Am 'rica full Of hope for the future. and
expected To make a fortune Reverses at
| tended all his efforts. and he became de
spondent. Financial difficulties met him
| on all sides, and last night he left his
boarding house. 12n Wells street, deter
| mined to eTd his mis-. ry. H.. was well ed
| ucated and had not reach ID middle age.