The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-03-26
WENT HOME TO DIE.
Katie Detwiller Suicides at
Louisville.
A MYSTERIOUS Note Pinned to Her
Drsss.
Dependency May Have Induced th
Rash Act, But an Air Of Mystery Sur
rounds the Cause.-The Suicide Deiib-
crate One The Particulars.

A sad story Of suicide comes from
Louisville, this county, and the young
lady who thus summary disposed OF her
self is we'll known in this city.
Katie Detwiller, aged twenty-four
years, has been living with her
sister, Mrs. Charles Hattrie, at Alliance,
for some time past, but has of late been
living in tlIis city with her aunt, in South
Market street, and has been at odd times
engaged behind the counter at the Bee
Hive Novelty store, Nos. "a and 38 South
Market street. This morning she took
the 8:O7 train for Louisville and upon ar.
irving there she went directly TO the old
homestead, which was owned by her
father and mother, both OF whom are
dead, her mother having died last June.
At .he depot she spoke pleasantly to an
acquaintance, Jacob Etchberger, and was
apparently in her usual frame of mind.
She the n proceeded directly TO the home
stead, and going to shed hanged her
self, using an ordinary clothesline. From
all appearances she must have had the
clothesline in her pocket when she ar
rived, as IL was carefully and peculiarly
noosed.
The suicide was deliberate one. Di-
vesting herself of her plush sacque, she
laid II carefully to one side. She then
stepped upon a block, fastened the clothes
line to beam overhead, and then stepped
off the block. Her feet we're almost touch
The cause of the rash act can only be
conjectured, but IL Is supposed to have
been on account OF trouble over the dis
tribution Of the homestead property in
which she claimed one-fourth interest.
Charles Hattrie, brother-in.law Of the
unfortunate girl, bought the homestead at
an administrators sale some time ago.
He came over from the east this morning,
arriving at Louisville at IL 40. He did not
know OF Katie's suicide until informed
upon his arrival.
He at once went to the home and found
the facts as stated above. On the girls
breast was pinned a note which was at
once taken in charge by Hatrie. The con-
tents of the note are as follows.
"The reason / have done this is because
I was the cause of mothers death. Imade
a terrible mistake and IL proved fatal to
both of us. Do not think l have done this
unnecessarily for am lost anyway: am
thankful TO those who have been kind to
me and am sorry for the sorrow which
this unfortunate circumstance must cause
them. Bury me as soon as possible and
try and forget me.n
Just what the girl meant IL mystery.
She has always been considered an excel
lent young lady and was esteemed by all
who knew her. She has a brother, doe
Detwiler living on the farm of Mrs. Mar
Gus Metzgar. This brother is a peculiar
man and is not considered mentally
sound. Mrs. Marcus Metzgar is sister of
the unfortunate girl, and her husband
committed suicide two years ago by throw
ing himself into well.
The lifeless body of Katie Detwiller was
discovered at 1890 o'clock, by Andrew
Klingman, who lives near the Detwiller
Homestead. The girl was plainly dressed
in black and In life was quite prepossess-
ing though not considered handsome.
At the Coroner's inquest this afternoon
Charles Hattrie was the first witness ex-
amined. He testified as follows: " am
brother. in law of Katie Detwiller. l am
an engineer on the Ft. Wayne Railroad
and reside at Alliance. / came over this
morning on business with Louis Lumberly.
Mr.. Lumberly told me something had hap
pened to Katie, and then finally admit
ted that she had committed suicide.
Two weeks ago Katie had an attack of
LA Grippe,n and talked with her at
Canton last Saturday. She said the dis.
ease had effected her mind and throat.
/ could see that she was not natural, and
there was quite a change in her from the
time had last seen her."
Additional testimony is now being taken.
A NEws-DENoCRAT reporter called at the
Bee Hive Novelty store this afternoon and
talked with L, Il. Mckenzie, one of the
proprietors. Mr.. Mckenzie stated that
Katie Detwiller had worked for him at
odd times since, and during the holidays
and was of a very quiet, unassum-
ing and reserved disposition. She
worked all day yesterday and
was apparently in her usual frame Of
mind. At 80 she left the store in COM
pany with Miss Clara Ranger and walked
TO her home. Miss Raniger states that
Katie was unusually lively and was in the
best of humor. She feltvery much shock.
ed and could not in any way account for
the deed.
The funeral services will be held tomor-
row at Louisville.