The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-12-11
MRS. kate AULTMAN'S COACHMAR.
CHASTITY Discovery by Children
Who We're Searching For Their
Missing Father.
HIS WIFE DIED A YEAR AGO
And II Is Thought That lie Was Lonely
and Despondent---Once Threatened :
to Take ePoison-.-Suicide Was
Expected by His
Friends.

Friends.
Charles A. Swanson, q coachman for
many years in the employ of Mrs. Kate
Aultman, hung himself Thursday night
or at an early hour Friday morning.
The lifeless body was discovered I'm
the Aultman barn by Swanson's chill
dren, who were searching for him, as
he failed to appear at his home Thurs
day night as usual.
The remains were faatened to a
clothes line attached to an iron ring
fastened to the ceiling. The body was
In a stopping position, showing that
after Swanson had adjusted the moose
around his neck, his knees were bent
outward and he simply let himself
strangle to death.
The deceased was a man about 40
years old. Several small children sur
vive him. His wife died about one year
ago.
There are a number of theories con
cerning the cause which probably drove
Swanson to commit self destruction.
The one, perhaps chiefly answreable for
the crime, is the loss of his home and
the death of his wife also may have
contributed.
Swanson has been in the employ of
Mrs. Aultman for ten years. He was
always known as trustworthy and
steady workingman. He formerly re-
sided in North Walnut street, with his
family. Sometime during last fall Mrs.
Swanson died. She had been III a week
or more previous, and one morning citi-
sens passing down the street in front of
the house heard the children crying.
An investigation led to the discovery
of the body Of Mrs. Swanson in one of
the rooms of the house. Her death was
sudden and altogether unexpected.
Since that time Mr.. Swanson, 1t is said,
has been very dsconsolate and discour-
aged. His household effects were sold
and the home literally broken up. He
was unable to care sor the small chill
dren and friends promised to provide
for them. The children therefore be-
came separated, and Swanson told sew
eral friends that life wasn't worth liv-
Ing. 1t is said that upon several occa-
sions he has threatened to end his life,
either by taking poison or by violence.
His friends noted that his condition was
not normal and they feared that his as
sertions would some day be carried out.
Swanson did not appear to take life
20 seriously either il the statements of
many persons who were his compan-
IONS, are to be affirmed. 1t appears that
he spent much of his money in libating
and he had q habit of playing nickel In
the slot machines. The latter custom
alone, II is said, has caused Swanson
the loss OF many dollars each week.
He borrowed money occasionally from
friends, but what he did with the
cash no one can tell. 1t Is said tina a
friend gave him about $40 Thursday.
The day before he also borrowed some
money for alleged debts which he said
must be paid. In this manner he be-
came a debtor to many persons.
Thursday night Swanson visited a
place in East Fifth street, where he
asked for the loan of SIS. He said he
wanted the money to pay an assessment
on his property, and that he .lso was
about to marry. He appeared to be
intoxicated, and did not secure the loan.
He then visited a place in North
Court street where he alternately play
cd the slot machine and drank liquor.
Parties who saw him upon the street
late during the night stated that his
condition was not normal.
Swanson did not appear at his home
during the night, and Friday morning
his small children, who had been at the
home of their grandmother, visited the
barn in search Of their father. They
threw open the door and looked into
the barn. Not over a foot from the
door they discovered the body OF their
father hanging to a rope. Daniel Al
Ginger, who is employed by q neighbor,
heard the cries OF the children, and he
came running into the place. The body
vas still warm when cut down but life
seemed extinct. Coroner Schuffell was
sent for and with Sergeant Charles
Riblet he visited the place and viewed
the remains. The body was taken
charge Of by Messrs. Arnold & McCrea
and taken to their morgue.
There was nothing upon the person OF
Swanson indicating the cause of his
1sed. However. It is stated by friends
that Swanson had grieved over the loss
q his home and wife to such an extent
that his mind was in an abnormal con