Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-06-17
Vol. xxx.
HanSon's Holy Horror
OF BEING EXPOSED MOST PROB.
ABLY LED HIM TO TAKE
HIS LIFE.
He Had Other Troubles Besides Those
of a Financial Nature-Led q
Dual Life-Letter From
Supposed Son.

"Dead FROM the effects of prussic
acid, administered by his own hand,
lies Charles r. Hanson at the home
of @. w. Peterson, 915 West Liberty
Street." Such was the LEDGER's in
PRODUCTION to the article telling of the
suicide OF O. r. Hanson on the morn
ing of June l, 1897.
1t was supposed at the time that
Hanson, who was a we'll thought Of
man and highly esteemed by his
friends, had killed himself on account
of financial troubles, but it comes to
light now chat Hanson was not only
troubled in finances but in mind. He
had too many wives, as was learned
when F. v. Gentry received letter
telling of Hanson's career in Illinois.
The letter stated that Christian r.
Hanson had been for years "pump-
er" on the l. @. Railroad, at Mason,
Ill. He then worked for several years
for the Bloomington Mutual Life
Benefit Association and finally be-
came general agent and saved con-
siderable money. He then, in COM
pany with his wife and five boys, left
for Chicago, where he became dealer
at the Chicago Board of Trade, losing
all of his money and being compelled
to enter in the real estate business,
which he followed for some time.
He then deserted his wife and
children, going ''down east' with an
other woman. He was taken seriously
sick while east and his first wife, who
was most excellent woman, good
and true, went after him, and after
nursing him back to health, took him
home to Chicago with her, where he
resumed business.
He was again attracted by a fairer
face about 6 years ago and left home
for parts unknown, not to be heard of
until he killed himself here.
In 1898 he was suspended from the
Masonic Lodge for his actions to his
wife. In Mason, ILL.,, he was a bright,
Jealous business man and was well
thought OF until he deserted his wife.
His first wife and children are living
in Chicago yet, at 1872 West Huron
Street. The sons are thrifty business
men and doing well.
| Mr.. j. @. Wilkins received the fol-
lowing letter from q son this morning:
Master of Masonic Lodge. Mexico, Mo.
| CHICAGO, June 8, 1s97.-DEAR SIR:
| I read a notice in the Mason Nea0s that
Chris. Hanson had died at Mexico,
Mo. AS / have not seen or heard of
my father for over four years and as
We lived at Mason, ILL.,, at one time,
think he is my father. will ask you
If you will please give me what in
formation you know about him, and
what business and place he was last
in. would also like to know what was
done with his body. enclose pho
tograph of my father, which was
taken about ten years ago. Hoping
that may hear from you at an early
date as possible, 1 remain
| Yours Very Respectfully,
VIM. G.. HANSON,
392 w. Huron Street, Chicago, Ill.
P. 8. Please return the photograph.
The photograph spoken of in the let
ter is an excellent likeness of the @.
r. Hanson who killed himself here,
the only change being that he was
some heavier than he was when he
killed himself. The picture was taken
at the "Armour" studio, 465 West In
diana Street, Chicago, Ill.
A LEDGER reporter called at q. W.
Peterson's, No. .915 WestLiberty street,
this morning to see Mrs. Hanson
about the matter but she had left for
st. Louis to accept position with her
husbands former employers, who
have been kind enough to give her
aid.
Mr.. Peterson, In answer to ques-
tions, said to the reporter:
"After Hanson's suicide I took q
good deal of interest in Mrs. Hanson
on account of her destitution and
tried to find out few things from hel
about her husbands parents. She
said she knew very little of Mr.. Han
son's life before she married him
seven years age, ,at her homo in Wise.
vile, Wisconsin. She wss Miss
Minnie M. Crawford. He then claimed
to have been a widower for eign
years with two sons living in Chi
cago and parents in Mason, Iii. Sh'
also said that no correspondence
passed between either Hanson's pa
rents and himself or his children an,
, himself. She further stated tha
about four years ago friend of hers
who had known her husband In for
mer years, had told her that Hanson
wife and children were living In Chi
cago. She accused him then of inf
, deity, but in q smooth way he salts
; fie1 her fears.
"Mrs. Hanson is but "a years old an
has borne her husband three child
rem, two dying, and Charles, year
old, still living. She was nearly dis
tracted the day after the tragedy t
think she may not have been a legs
. wife. Mr.. Hanson had said to m
that Christian R., not Chas. R., wa
, his name.'
, Mrs. Peterson, when asked, sal
that she was sure that Mrs. Hanso
} was not q knowing party to any un
, lawful proceedings pertaining to th
! marriage and that she was sure tbs
Mrs. Hanson was q perfectly goo
woman. Mrs. Hanson had been wit
. her for several months and she ha
, never heard her utter foul word {
! express an unclean thought.
Candidates for Collector.
. From the Vandalia Leader.
/. w. W.Settle was down from Mexic
: Monday. Mr.. Settle informed th
: Leader that he would be in the rae
q for nouutu co1loCtor uoYk vaar a. W