The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-01
FOUND REST DEATH
An Old RecIuse Ends His Suf-
ferings With a Razor.
ATALE OF DISAPPOINTED LOVE.
4 Life Opened With Bright Prospects
Wrecked by . Woman's Coldness-
His Comrades Kindness.

Fred Dioiie. an old MAJ who has lived
In and about this city for FIVE years, com
mitted suicide some time Saturday nigh;
by cutting his throat with razor. So far
as known. he has neither friends noI
money. although he has an Interesting
history.
Dsodie. who was 81 years Of age, came
20 Seattle from the East five years ago
with little money and lived well while il
lasted Then he accepted any sort of en-
pIoy men. he could find. and during the
past year has been working in slaughter
house on the Grant street bridge. During
the last two years he has lived ny himself
in q hovel on the bridge south OF the Bay
View brewery.
When not in his cups Diodie was pleas
ant man, and his manners showed that he
had come down in the world. But he al
ways studioasiy avoided telling any Of his
ecquaintances about himself, and so close
did he keep his own counsel that. aside
from the fact that he was q German and
unmarried, no one knew anything about
him.
About two months ago be was taken
sick. His strong constitution went TO
pieces all at once. and from hale and
stout man he became broken-down and
decrepit. He was deserted by all who
knew him except several young Germans
who work in the Bay View brewery. Dur
ing the time that he was confined TO his
cabin some one OF the young men called
on him every day and brought him food
and endeavored to cheer him.
Saturday evening when two of the young
men from the brewery dropped in on the
old man and brought him some supper,
the sufferer remarked:
"Boys, you've been very kind to me, but
tomorrow you won't need to drop in
The words were spoken significantly.
and the young men looked at each other
in e questioning way. The chances were
observed by Diodie, who fastened to say:
II think will be able TO be about to-
morrow and can get along myself.
This remark treasured them and they
went away.
Al O'Clock yesterday morning one of
the young fellows, with steaming break
fast on his arm, knocked on the door OF
ihe shack. Not receiving an answer. he
pushed the door open and the sight re-
veased caused him 10 throw up his hands,
while the dishes on his arm fell 10 the
floor and broke Diodle lay on his bunk
with bloody razor in his hand. A deep
red cash across b is throa, and his blood
despatched face told the tale more plainly
than words. Blood stained the floor and
bedding and lay in black elots on the dead
mans clothing. The atmosphere of the
room was sitting, and the young man
hurried from the place and carried the
news 10 his companions. Coroner Horton
wss notified by telephone and the lifeless
body was removed to the morgue. Diodie
left not a line of explanation.
Diodie, touched by the charity of his
fellow-workmen. few days ago broke his
reserve and told enough of his former life
TO give an insight into his character and
the cause OF his troubles.
According to the story told by the young
men, Diodie was the son OF weli-to-do
Germans, and was sent to a college at Ber-
lin. When he had reached his majority
and had graduated with honors. he took a
trip trough France and England and,
while in the latter country. became &C.
quainted with q German girl, who. ike
himself, was travelling. She was accom-
panied by her parents, and her home was
in town adjoining his own home in the
old country. Diodie was much taken with
her charms, and kept up correspondence
with her after they had parted. He re-
turned to Germany, followed few months
later by the girl also. Diodie, who was
now about 20 years of age, became alb
sorbed in his affection for her. He called
on her at her home few weeks after her
return. and soon became very friendly.
not only with her, out with her parents.
He finally proposed to her. and was re.
jeeted. The girl had given her heart TO
another. and had never thought of Diodie
except as warm friend. She married her
chosen husband, and Diodie, broken
hearted, came TO America.
He located in New Orleans. afterwa
moved 70 Michigan and finally took up his
residence in small tosn in Texas, where
real estate and traded with Mexicsns and
Indians.
He had been twenty years in America
when letters from his Old home casually
conveyed the information that the hus-
band of his former sweetheart had died,
leaving two children, one of them a girl
and married The news came like a
thunserbo.t 10 Diodie. and ray OF hope
flashed through has soul, for he had never
forgotten the girl. He sold ont his store
Stta4ta Up mas 0kA4eT INTERESTS anu. Win y
snug fortune N cash. returned TO Ger
many and without warning paid the widow
visit He again pressed his suit. hut the
woman refused him, and. without even
paying visit - the home of bis child
hood. he returned TO America and lived
on his fortune, travelling from place 20
place and drowning his disappointment in
the wine cup.
In this elyy poverty drove him to menial
labor IN sausage factory. and when
finally sickness did overtake him. it found
him penniless and frleBdiess
4 collection Will Re taken M by the en-
ployes OF the Bay View brewery and the
dead man NIL be gwen decent burial.
4 nm & nn.r nHnr