Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-05-08
DEPLORABLE DEED.
Robt. koehler Makes an UnsuC-
cessfuI Attempt at Suicide.
SHOCKING DISCOVERY BY HIS WIFE.


Found Unconscious, He is Resuscited. and
it is Believed He Will Recover-Cause of
the Unfortunate Act and Attendant Cir
cumstances
Ex-Citv Clerk Robert Koehler made
an unsuccessful attempt TO take his
own life at an early hour this morn
ing by opening the arteries of both
wrists. The act was committed in
the barn on his premises at the head
of Twenty-second street. The means
of destruction employed was a pocket
knife.
He arose at > o'clock this morning
before the other members of the fam
lily had gotten up and went out of
the house. He did not return and
after 40 minutes had elapsed Mrs.
Koehler got up and went out to the
barn in the rear OF the residence
where she was Mortified to find her
husband PROSTATE in one of the stalls
with both wrists cut. and he uncon-
Scious. Other members of the fam
ilv and neighbors were called
in and Drs. Barth and Hollowbush
being summoned arrived in q few
minutes, and binding up the arteries
applied restOrativcS and made other
efforts to resuscitate him. DR.. Carter
arrived later and Mr.. Koehler was
placed upon cot and carried into
the house where the doctors worked
with him for some time. When the
physicians arrived his condition was
such that it was feared that efforts
would be fruitless. but after some
minutes the circulation was strength
encd and it is now thought that he
will get through all right.
, sorry lie DID Not succeed
The captain remained in an I'M
conscious condition for some time but
finally regaincd it. and after realiz-
inc that he had failed in his efforts
at self-destruction. expressed him
self a sorry that he had not been
successful.
Later the captain frightened up
and seemed more like himself. but he
declined to disclose any reason for
| the deplorabIe act on his part. The
| attending physicians attribute the
deed to temporary mental alteration
/ induced by ovcrwCrk. worry and dis
appointment. Tie captain ordinar-
lily Il light hearted man. had been
noticeably dcspondent of late. especi-
ally did he appear so to those who
were brought in immediate contact
with him. City Clerk Hucsing no
ticcd it in particular when he relieved
him of his duties Of city clerk last
Tuesday morning. The night before
when he was succeeded i'm the council
chamber bv Mr.. Huesing he seemed
in particularly happy frame Of mind
! and was courteous a he always l..
with all he met and he took occasion
there to personally offer his thanks
! to few personal friends for
their kindness to him during his
term of Office The next morning his
,lcmcanor had changed a. regards his
H~ht hcartedness. though he was
oblirinr to ali Is of old, and par
ticularly to Mr. Huesing, his success
sor in office The latter gentleman
| had asked him to remain in the Of
! flee indefinitely until he could be-
! come familiar with the duties, and
| the captain had consented. though
! no definite arrangement had been
! made. But it was generally under
| stood that Capt. kochler would stay
| for time at least.
Mr. HuesinG Noticed His Dcspondency-
! Il had noticed the captains de
| spondcncv ever since last Tuesday.
! said Clerk Huesing this morning
He complained repeatedly OF not
( feeling well. and spoke particularly
! about his head bothering him. He
! also seemed worried about his future