Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-07-22
HEYDLAUFF KILLS HIMSELF.
RATHER THAN SUFFER DISGRACE
HE SUICIDES.
Tragic End of Ashland's Sensational
Investigation Into the Matter of
Forged County Orders.

Ashland, Wis, July 15.-The PIE
liminary hearing of r. G. HeydlauA,
who was arrested charged with forging
county orders, came TO tragic end
Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock, the
time set for the defense to begin The
introduction of its evidence. Ten min
utes before that time Heydlauff COM
mitted suicide by shooting himself
through the head. The desperate deed
was done in his own home He arose
about Z O'Clock, dressed himself as
usual and came down town after eat
ing breakfast. He inquired of several
persons around the Dufur block if his
attorney, w. M. Tomkins, had been
down. Finding that he had not, he
returned home about $50. He went
up stairs and a few minutes later the
fatal shot was heard by Mrs. Heyd-
lauff who, with her little girl, was
alone in the house. She ran up stairs,
saw Heydlauff lying PROSTATE across
the bed and ran out and informed the
neighbOrs. Doctors soon arrived and
said that death must have been in
Simultaneous. In Eeydlauff's pocket
was found a bottle OF laudanum with
two tablespoonfuls gone, showing that
suicide had evidently been premedl-
tated. The ccroner's jury viewed the
body, and in the afternoon an inquest
was held.
w. NJ. Tomkins said Wednesday:
Last night was the last time ] saw
Heydlauff. He was in good spirits. This
morning we were to begin the defense.
Yesterday [ told Heydlauff that as we
were not ready to answer all the
charges we ought to waive defense and
let him be bound over to the circuit
court. He wanted to go ahead with
the defense ard | finally consented to
do so. He has had some very serious
financial troubles Of late, particularly
yesterday, and this coupled with his
anxiety over his arrest, likely drove
him to commit this act"
Within the past three weeks Heyd-
lauff had twice been arrested on
charges of forgery. IL the first case
he was accused of forging an order for
$4,000 which he had presented to
County Treasurer Nelson. It was at
once discovered that this order had
been forged and this revelation was
followed by the discovery that an or
der for 1924 turned over to County
Treasurer Nelson by City Treasurer
Marshall had been raised fom 81 "a
Marshall stated that be had received
the raised order from Heydlauff
Heydlauff was arrested and his eX-
animation on both charges began July
9. County Clerk Gankee testified that |
several months ago Heydlauff brought |
to him half dozen notes authorizing |
him to give Heydlauff certain county |
orders. One of these notes bore the |
name of j. T. Hanley and the other |
men testified that their names had !
been forged to the notes. City Treas
urer Marshall testified that Heydlauff |
had given him the order which had |
been raised from ST. to 1924 in pay
ment of taxes due from Judge Nelson
Of St. Paul. Cashier Wiley testified |
that he had given Heydlauff a genu-
L.
IS in cash with which to pay Judge
Nelson's taxes. 1t was shown that
Heydlauff had got cash for the S491
order and had paid Nelson's taxes with
the raised order. Experts, moreover
found points, of similarity in the writ
ing on the fraudulent orders and in
Heydlauf's acknowledged chirography
r. C. Heydlauff was about SO years
of age. When Ashland was scantiIy-
settled village he became identified
with it and has taken an active part
in its development ever since Heyd-
lauff was a real estate and insurance
dealer and has held several offices.
At one time he was chairman of the
republican county committee He
was appointed receiver of the
United States land Office in Harrison's
administration. During the last SEES
sion OF the legislature Heydlauff held
D clerkship at Madison. ?