The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-01-03
HYMNS and PRAYER.
Thad. G. FlOm Prepares Him.
self For a Great Ordeal,
Then Lies Down on His Bed and Inhales
ChlOroform Until Death Ensues.

When Found, His Rigid Hands Still
Held to His NostriIs the Volatile
Fluid Which Was the Agent EN-
pIoyed to- Bring About the DissoIu
tion-Had Been Dead Many Hours
When Worry Over His Room
Rent and a CheerIess Outlook For
the Future, Together with InduIg-
ence in Drink, Caused the Condition
of Mind Which Prom pied the Deed.
Thaddeus c. Flohr aged 81 years, veteran
Of the late war, was found dead in his bed at
the house Of Mrs. Mary Akin, No, ~ East
Eighth ssreet, where he had room. The
body was not discovered until 3 o'clock We'd
nesday afternoon and it was evident that
death had ensued at least l3 hours before
the finding of the body. Flohr committed
suicide by inhaling chloroform.
Thsd Flohr was we'll known 10 the citizens
Of Canton. He served with credit three years
in the great civil war and has since lived in
habit during the war and Il
stuck to him in his later life
though he was always q quiet, orderly, big
hearted man. He never did any one an in
jury knowingly and had many friends. Sew
onteen years ago he became separated from his
part, been living alone. Two months ago he
applied to Mrs. Mary Aiken for shelter. lie
was known TO her and though he had no
money she willingly gave him room in her
hOuse, where she had several rooms. He
promised to pay her from his pension money
and 1t was to have been paid Wednesday. But
Wednesday never came to Thad Flohr.
On Monday Flohr told Mrs Aiken that Inc
had received ar order for his pension money
but received it too late to get 1t cashed He
told her that the next day was Christmas,
holiday, and he could not therefore get his
money as the bank would be closed. lie
seemed to worry q great deal
about his room rent, and that, with the fact
that he had been drinking considerable
quantity of liquor, upset his judgment. On
Monday he was drinking to some extent, and
on Christmas day he did not let up. 1t has
been learned that he got his pension money
and spent Il great deal of it. He told friend
that man took him home Monday night and
robbed him of $40. At any rate it is known
that on Christmas night he had only few
pennies, and with these he talked of getting
present for some of his relatives, from whom
he has been estranged. lie seemed to be in
fair condition mentally, and those who talked
with him during the evening had no idea that
he intended to end his earthly troubles by
killing himself. 1t is believed that he had no
idea of killing himself until he got TO his
room.
At 10 o'clock Christmas night, when ma
iority Canton citizens were seated around their
happy fresides, rhad Flohr staggered to his
lonely room. The fire was out and there was
little of cheer for the broken down veteran.
Mrs. Akin was down stairs and heard him go
through the hallway and up to his room.
When he got into his room he could be heard
mumbling and talking to himself. A short
time later his voice was heard in song. He
sang several hymns, choosing familiar church
Rntt ha hn rI
talking and it is believed that he had decided
to emu his life and was engaged in prayer
The hymn singing and praying continued
until IL O'clock when all became still.
Mrs. Akin went to her room and paid no
further attention to her lodger. Wednesday
as it was his custom to sleep
late. Sometimes he was up early
but oftener he slept until noon. Mrs. Akin
WAS busy about the house and did not know
whether tlOhI had left his room, but at 8
o'clock in the afternoon she went to the door
and raped. There was no response from
within, and as the key was on the outside and
the door was locked with the catch on the in
side she became alarmed. A peculiar Odor
emanating from the room increased her alarm
and she ran to the barber shop of her son,
John Akin. Two of Mr.. Atkins employees
went home with her and tried the door to
FlOhr's room. 1t would not yield and they
threw their combined weight against it, break
ing 1t in. A shocking sight met their gaze as
they entered the room.
On the bed lay Thad Flohr, stiff and cold in
death. Both hands were held up towards his
face and had become rigid. In one hand was
bottle of ChlOrOfOrm, which was held close to
the nose of the dead man by his rigid hands.
FlOhr had made every preparation for q
speedy and painless death. He secured bot
tie of chloroform and quantity of cotton. He
removed the cork from the bottle and tied
some of the cotton to the stopper. BY tipping
the bottle he saturated the cotton and then
lying down on his back in the middle of the
bed he deliberately held the chlorOform to his
nose until Inconsistencies came and death
ensued.
Coroner Conklin was summoned, made an
examination and will render verdict in ac-
cOrdance with the facts as set forth in the
foregoing. The body of the deceased veteran
was removed TO Moses & Reemsnyder's under
taking rooms and prepared for burial.
Friends and relatives have taken charge of
the body and the funeral will be held at Trim
ity Lutheran church Friday morning. The
funeral will be private Interment in West
lawn cemetery.
Deceased leaves numerous relatives in this
and other cities. His death recalls the death
of his brother, Walter, several years ago, under
similar circumstances. 1t will be remembered
that Walter Flohr committed suicide under a
tree near where the Dueber works now stands
ne also lnnaleu the same VOlhtlle nulu tnat MS
brother later chose as the agent to end his
earthly existence.
1t was learned Friday that 1had Flohr, who
committed suicide Tuesday, had his life in
sured III the Prudential Insurance Company
for $500. About a month ago he took out the
policy in favor of his daughter, paying three
months in advance. 1t is doubtful if she will
be able to collect anything from the company,
more than the amount paid in as premium.
Flohr's funeral took place Friday morning
from the Lutheran church, interment at West
lawn. The funeral was private none but the
immedi ite relatives of the unfortunate man
being present.