Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-12
COMMITTED SUICIDE.
c. E. Gustaffson, of the Town of
Linwood, Takes His own Life.


Word came to this city Friday
announcing the fact that the body of a
man was found lying dead in the woods
near Nieman's farm in the town of
Rudolph. Geo. NJ. Hill, deputy sheriff,
in company with G. L. Duncan, Justice
Of the Peace and DR.. &. A. Boorman
repaired to the spot where the body
was lying. On the way they subpoenaed
Messrs. Fred Duncan, August and
Christopher Stofeld, VIM. Bartells,
Fred Hass and Frank Jung. They were
duly sworn. On arrival upon the scene
of the suicide they found the body
living face up, with a gun shot wound
through his head. The ball entered in
the right temple and passed out just
behind the left ear. Upon log near
the remains the jury found an Optimus
note book No. 1869, a box of cartridges
| No. 56, a new testament, vest pocket
dictionary, small account book, and two
bottles of ink. The carbine rifle ian
old timer lay at right angles to the log
with the butt end resting against a
small tree. At the muzzle lay the mans S
coat and vest upon which his body lay
with mis- head in range of the gun about
one foot distant. In this position he
discharged the gun with twig which
he held in his right hand.
In his note book found upon the log
he had written the following letter
addressed "To Friends:
II am tired of life and don't see any
reason why | should live when that's
the case. Dearly loved Brothers and
Sisters if you had known the secrets of
love in God you should also long ago
have committed what | this day of our
Lord have done. When [ write this [
am very nervous so the friends will
have to excuse my hand writing. My
hand shivers very much. You shall
soon, all of you, discover that God is by
your side knocking in hope that you
| will let him in. Yes friends you shall
all see your blindness. Dearly loved
brothers and sisters God stands near
you all and shall so do. Oh! friends
open your eyes, open your hearts for
Him. Brothers and Sisters [ have seen
the Lord of heaven and you shall all
see Him. Treat your brothers with
kindness is the commandment of God
our Father. | pray love each other,
but love God above all things. Remem-
ber this my last word.
&. E. GUSTAFFsON."
In this same book he had written in
the Swedish language short letters
addressed to his Father, Mother,
Brother, Sisters and friend whom he
addressed "Andrew." The contents
translated were similar to the above
letter.
In his new testament the following
short letter was found: September Sd
1895. [ leave very kind greeting to
you all, Father, Mother, Sisters and
brother. This life seems burden. Be
God with you all. Good bye"
From the letters it is plainly seen that
the boy was deranged. He was only II
years old.
After the jury examined the place
where he had committed suicide the
remains were taken home and the jury
adjourned to Justice Duncans office in
Centralia. They met there at 10 o'clock
d. m. Saturday September 7th where
everything pertaining to the suicide
was cleaned. The jury after hearing
all the testimony rendered the follow
ing verdict:
THAT the said G. E. Gustaffson came
to his death by his own hands from a
rifle loaded with a number 56 cartridge
and ball. That the said G. E. Gustaff-
son committed suicide by then and
there placing said rifle in such a posi-
ton as to cause instant death by
discharging the said weapon with his
own hands"
The boys parents reside in Linwood
Portage county, but he committed
suicide in the woods in Wood county
town of Rudolph. The boy was
employed on farm. He never showed
any signs Of insanity. He was hard
working faithful boy. On the 4th inst
he attended the Fair in Stevens Point
and came home in the evening. He
acted no different than usual anC
showed no signs of his intention. 1t is
supposed that he repaired to place O.
suicide early on the morning of the 9Th
His letters were all written while il
the woods prior to taking his life. His
parents, brothers and sisters all fee
very sad over the event and cannot
account for the act, other than he mus
! have lost his reason.