The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-08
HIS WOES TOO GREAT.
Charles Orendorf Takes a Big Dose
of Laudanum.
VAS SUFFERING FROM MELANCHOLY
After a Long Debauch ana Resolved
to End His Life by Poison.

After Long Debauch ana Resolved
to End His Life by Poison.
The third suicide within a space of
two weeks occurred in Topeka last night
Charles Orendorf, a barber, and we'll
known took laudanum early in the even
ing and died this morning at $50 at his
home.
Orendorf lived in the back rooms of
what was the Whittlesy grocery store at
the corner of Eighth and Madison streets.
He came to Topeka two years ago from
Kansas City and went to work for Conrad
Myers at the corner of Seventh and
kaneas avenue.
Three weeks ago he began work in the
Central barber shop He was in the
habit of getting on periodical sprees and
had just completed one of about two
weeks duration winding up in the city
prison under IS fine Yesterday morn
ing. In the afternoon he was released
by the lailer to 60 up town and get a
balance of his fine rs cents. He had
paid $3.50 all he had and borrowed rs
cents of fellow prisoner. He paid the
balance before supper time went home
Immediately after and took the dose that
killed him.
He had threatened suicide before and
the cause of it is known to be his habit
of drinking which always left him badly
| shattered and very penitent. When
| Harry Smith killed himself early in the
week Orendorf told n. l. Flunton, who
was we'll acquainted with him, that he
would soon follow. He said at the jail
yesterday afternoon that they would
never see him again, but laughed and
| joked as he said it.
1t is said Orendorf and his wife did
not live happily, and the fault was his.
though they had three children, the old
est a girl of six. Mrs. Orendorf does
not seem to feel the blow heavily. She
is handsome young German woman
with light hair and blue eyes, and talked
freely about her husbands demise.
When he went home last evening
| Orendorf must have taken the lauda-
mum soon after entering the house.
He talked very penitently, begging
his wife to forgive him. He
had not done right and he knew it, he
said. He told her it would soon be over
though and kissed each of the children
affectionately goodbye" He had often
talked that way and his wife was not
| alarmed,
There was bed in the front room and
he lay down on it soon after eight o'clock.
At ten he arose and told his wife he had
taken poison and was going to die and
! asked that she call Mr.. Scholes next door
| to pray for him. He staggered and again
| lay down on the bed
When the Inconsistencies began to
come on Drs Mcclure and Miner were
called but in spite of their
efforts the man did not speak
again. He died at $50 and was taken tc
the undertaking rooms of DeMoss &
Penwell where an inquest will be held
this afternoon.
Orendorf was SO years old, of medium
height with smooth, good natured face
and light complexion
He was a member of A o. Z. W.
lodge No. IL and was insured for $4,000
which his widow gets. His mother and
brother live at Edward, Mo. and their
wishes will be followed regarding the
funeral. They have not yet been heard
from.
81 find the Royal Baking Powder SUI
perior to all the others in every respect
1t is entirely free from all adulIeration
and unwholesome impurity, and in bak
ing it gives on greater volume of leav-
ening gas than any other powder.
WALTER S. HAINEs, NJ. d."
! Chemist of the Chicago Board of Health.