Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1892-04-14
DEATH BY HIS OWN HAND.
Fred w. Brown, the Deposed Agent OF
the Rock Island Ends His Life.


Brown was appointed station agent fol-
the Rock Island road at Audubon
Last night about o o'clock his lifeless
body was found hanging in the engine
house, the result of his own rash deed.
The discovery cast deep gloom over
the community, and the men who had
been doing business with him until
twenty. four hours before could find no
words to express their astonishment
and profound regret.
The fact is chronicled elsewhere that
on Tuesday evening Travelling Auditor
Brewer arrived in the city and inform.
ed Mr.. Brown that he would be super,
ceded on Wednesday morning by w,
W, Smith, from Casey. Mr.. Brown ac-
cepted the verdict calmly with out ques
tons or comments. That evening was
spent in the Office with operator 4, O.
Mccarthy, during which Brown lightly
referred to the change and in banter
ing way wanted to sell the operator
some personal effects. He also met n
friend on the street and told of the
change, but did not profess to regard IL
despondently. Yesterday morning he
built fire In the office and told V. G
Rose, the section foreman, that it was
the last fire he should build in that
stove. Later the auditor and operator
arrived and prosecuted their duties.
About 8 n. m. Brown went from the of.
flee to the freight room and was with.
out a coat. The $40 train brought the
new agent and all employees were busy
with the work of transfer, and gave no
attention to the absence of Brown.
Later his protracted absence caused
anxiety, aud friends up town learning
of his removal, instituted a search in
all of his accustomed haunts, but prov
ed unavailing. Not finding him they
concluded that he had departed on the
10 n, m. train, but did not give up the
idea that some friend, as he had many,
knew OF his whereabouts.
Atsp. m. Messrs. W. ii. Neir and V.
g. Rose determined to institute n more
thorough search, rs they feared that If
alone and wandering he might perish
In the fearful storm. Mr., Rose remem.
bered having seen him in the morning
walk toward the engine house, situated
about thirty rods northwest of the de-
pot. They went to that building and
found the door locked. Inserting u lead
pencil In the key hole it struck an OBJ.
stacle and they believed that Brown
was OH the inside, with the door locked
They returned to the depot, procured a
key and lantern, and In company with
Operator Mccarthy went TO the engine
house. Mccarthy unlocked the door,
advanced with the lantern, and was hor-
'ifed to find his late companion and
business associate hanging on the south
idle about midway of the building, dead,
Il was u spectral sight, the dirty and
lingy building, disordered from disuse,
Is long black rafters shrinking from
he struggling rays of the lantern, and
N Its one side the body Of the unfortu-
,ate suicide-a sight never to DO for,
rotten by the spectators.
There was every evidence of determi.
,ation In the surroundings, The build
ng is eighteen feet high to the rafters.
IN the interior there Is stone wains-
,otting five feet high. Brown In his
dependency had stood upon this stone
work, fastened three. eighths inch rope
% a 2x6 scantling near his feet, fastep-
ID IL over brace above, and making a
,ommsn slip moose placed 1t about his
,eck, and stepped from his footing on
he stone wall. When found, the feet
we're but eighteen inches below the top
If the wall, the left arm was around the
the face to the west, the left
tide of which was somewhat bruised by
contact with the building. The rope Is
IN old ono but little used, and II is pre-.
iumed that he procured 1t from the at
,ic over the station Office. Mr., Rose
'ecollects that when he saw Brown
yoing north In the morning he was
holding his coat over his breast, and the
Imposition Is that he then carried the
'ope under his coat, and was pursing
he determination to do the rash deed,
Whether he performed the fearful deed
N the morning or brooded in despon.
iency for hours over his trouble will
never be known. A kind word might |
nave ayerted! vi. lie terrible tragedy, and
he search by his friends, indicated
hat there are many who would gladly |
nave rendered support, encouragement
md hope. The unfortunate young |
nan doubtless labored under the belief
hat the world was against him, and
aging aside his coat and hat he under.
,ook the deed with determination
hat was only satisfied when life was
beyond recall.
The body was removed to the Walk
II House and Coroner Rippey impan-
leled a jury consisting of ii. w. Hanna,
3. I. Howald and ii. w. Wilson, whose
'erdict was in accordance with the fore
,oing facts. Messrs. Mccarthy, Neff,
Rose and Travelling Auditor Brewer
estifed. The testimony of Brewer is
Iuoted to settle current rumors of un-
adorable nature:
81 live IN Chicago; am travelling auditor Of
he Rock Island road. Came 10 Audubon 70
ransfer agency to Mr.. Smith and relieve Fred
lie seemed astonished at FIRST, the night before,
aw him this morning about quarter Of eighti
My had few words with him. I was here
bout two months ago and found him si4s short
nd at another time about $40, but this was made
ood Seemed all right this morning. see no
sason why he should do this act, Nothing In
ocular about the books. Twas hero Feb. 10th
nd March 10th, Has always been good
q