The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-18
OLD man HANGED HIMSELF
John Rentschler Wanted to Bc Buried
on His Birthday.
WHICH WOULD BE TOMORROW
lie Lived with His SOu-in.Law. George
Keib. and Had No Reason to Complain
Of Life-Deed Wss Done with y
Piece Of New Clothes Liue.

John Rentschler. an old and well
known German resident OF the South
Side, who lived with his son-in-law.
George Keib, in the rear OF 432 Alder
street, committed self destruction some
time yesterday morning by hanging
himself with new clothes line IN
summer kitchen built about twenty feet
from the house. He would be 81 years
old tomorrow and wanted to die III Or
der that the funeral could be held on
the anniversary of his birth.
For nearly two months the old man
had been in sound mental condition.
and he frequently within that time
threatened to terminate his existence.
Ten days ago lie would have cut his
throat with n razor but for the timely
prevention of the desperate intention.
Realizing that lie should be watched.
the family kept close scrutiny on his
movements, hut he outwitted them and
succeeded in his rash design.
When Mr.. keib arose at the usual
hour yesterday morning he noticed that
his father-in-law was not around. but
1t was usual iCr the latter to go away
early and return later In the day. Mrs.
Keib did not suspect that her fathers
absence meant anything serious and
was not much worried until evening.
THE TODY FOUND.
After supper Mr.. Keib was engaged
around the house and he causually, in
passing the summer kitchen. tried the
door, seeing that it was closed. and
when 1t Gid not yield to his pressure
on the knob. he pushed his strength
against it and it opened Lighting
match he was confronted with the hor-
rifying sight Of the old mans corpse
dangling from a rafter. Placing his
hand upon the face of the suspended
form. his touch taught him that death
had occurred several hours.
Mr.. Keib went back and informed
his wife and then visited the Alder
street police station where he found
Lieutenant Peter Zang, who telephoned
for Coroner I.ongstreet, and then went
with Mr.. Keib and cut the body down.
1t was SC rigid that it would have
stood erect ly supporting 1t on both
sides. The features We're livid and dis
torted and death was plainly due to
strangulation.
Rentschler used piece of new clothes
line about five feet long. He fastened
the rope to the rafter securely by
winding 1t around several times. and
after that was done he stood upon a
down back of his ears and under his
chin. 1t was not in the shape of a
moose, but fitted around his head like
an elastic on girls hat. The body was
taken into the house and was placed in
the front room awaiting the arrival
of the coroner.
VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY.
Soon after being notified Coroner
Longstreet arrived and empanneled the
Scheuer. Joseph Klein. II. X. Klaumin-
ger. Jacob Demuth and Frank Klein.
After hearing testimony Of the family
the jury rendered a verdict to the eff
feet that death was caused by hang
ing: the act being Intentional.
The deceased was well known on the
South Side; he was an emplOye Of the
Lackawanna, Iron and Steel company
Tor over twenty-five years and worked
at the old rolling mill. For the past
three or four months he worked very
iiregularly. There was no cause for his
act, other than that his mind was not
right lately. lie was provided with a
good home by his son-in-law, Mr.. Keib
and their relations We're Of the most
agreeable nature. Four sons and five
daughters arc left. They are: John,
Michael. Jacob. Fred. Rose, Mrs
George Keib, Mrs. Barbara Farishon,
all of this city; Mrs. Christina Dohring.
of San Francisco. Cal; and Mrs. Her.
man Robling, of Brooklyn, N. Y. A
telegram will be sent to the latter this
morning. The funeral will very prob
ably take place tomorrow afternoon,