The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-08-07
DETERMINED SUICIDE.
Swallowed Morphine and Then
Jumped Into the Gulf.
AFTER THE TORPEDO BOAT FLEET.
Efforts Will lie Made to Get II 10
Come TO Gnivcstun-const Country
Fair Directory Meeting.

| Galveston. Texas, August 6.--Temporary
insanity produced by a combination of ills
caused J.. u. Lischko, a once prosperous
tailor, to set fire to HIS beddlag, tal.e en-
overdose of morphine and attempt 10 drown
| himself In the gulf. He was found this
| morning at $40 In the gulf IN au unc9n-
| scious condition and taken to the Seaiy
| hospital in an ambulance. \ corps OF
physicians attempted to revive him, but
ho was PAST all medical aid and an hour
after his arrival at he Institution dtlth
relieved him of bis suffepings. The hos
pltal authorities cay death resulted from
morphine poisoning,
The Lischke family came to Galveston
from Fort Worth about eight months ago.
1t consisted OF the father, mother aud
TWO sons, Otto and John. otto, tho elder,
learned the tailoring trade ut l. Steifpl's,
while John found work at 1 local bicycle
shop as q repairer.
The boys supported The family. tho father
being unable TO perform work OF any char
acte..
For four years the old man suffered in
tense pain and frequently expressed 4 de-
termination to end his life. on tive oc-
casicns in Fort Worth 1t was necessary
to call In the police TO quiet him Since
his residence in Galveston his condition
had grown rapidly wOrsr. Friends sug-
gested that he go TO the hospital for treat
mo1t, but he was obstinate aud feared
that II he consented he would never come
out alive. After much persuasion ne
yielded and for month remained In one
OF the local hospitals He camc away
one day rather Unexpectedly and returned
home. lie tald bis family be felt much
improved aud INDUCED IN hyrht hopes
for the future. 1t was not long beorc he
became Ill again and his cheoriulnesa gave
way to n respondent mood This con
tinued some little time and he was again
induced TO enter the hospital. AS on his
previous visit hospital life was dlstaste-
ful to him and he came home.
Yesterday he was in an unusually mel
ancholy mood. In the afternoon he asked
ms wife TO purchase sUlae morphine for
MN, saying that he desired TO end his
iIe. Tho wife endearored to turn Ills
thoughts to ether subjects. but he con-
tnued talking of suicide. He had made
previous threats Of like nature, but never
was he so persistent
Last night he retired at an carly hour.
HIS room ad1ons that of his wife. Until !
midnight Mrs Lischke remained awake |
Earring her husband might put his threats |
into execution.
An hour lator she was awakened by a |
loud noiae. AS soon as she arose from bed |
she detected the odcr OF smoke. In mn |
Instant mass of flame shot through the
doorway she cried out and her cons wele
awakened by her screams They rushed |
INTO their fathers room, and On the he'd
were number of bed clo.hes On fire
some one turned In an alarm but before
me arrival Of the department the flames
woro CNtinguished
a search was instituted for Mr.. Iisohl-s
out he could not be found. Then an in
'pectipn Of The room was mnde rro,n ~
ipbeaance Of things It scared as IL ths
'eu ci's,hes mad been piled OIL tho he'd and
hiatvh applied. On table was an
'mpty box labeled morphine.
h's toid the story. As soon as ,,ossiblo |
ne police were notified and search was
instituted for the missing man. Offcers
wy, o. sent III every direction, and everv
nott was made to find hnf This morn
ny ne was found in the gulf and taken Ia
o =, me hospital. where he died.
=, iSua! fost man called at the Lischke
yn,,',u Gu Center street, between
venues Ne and o. \ knock on tho dno,
aiied to bring response. An adioinlnr
Ie'8hpor volunteered the information tbaf
" ono was al home, but one Of the hays
VOC, at the mouse Of friend In the neigh
'oFhood. He was found
he had not heard of his fathers denth.
ma when the news was communicated "a
nm. no simply remarked; He is better
Ihen be told the story of the tragic af-
ar substantially as related above.
MIS-. Llschke visited the hospital this
nornng. where she learned OF her h,,s.
anu death Tho remains Will be IN.
erred in this city,
l