Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-17
JUMPED INTO The RIVER
Matthias wampach. a Soldiers
Home Member. Takes His
Life by Drowning.
Alter Removing Coat and valu.
ables He Plunees Into
Deep Water.
His Home Near Duhuque..An
His Home Near Dubuque..An
other Veteran Dies Sudden.
ly at Cedar Rapids.

ly at Cedar Rapids.
After carefully removing his coat and
vest, containing his money and a silver
watch and chain, and leaving them on
the bank of the Iowa river near the
Soldiers Home, Matthias Wampach,
member, of the Home. jumped into the
late Wednesday afternoon.
Such was the information that startled
the membership of the Home about .
o'clock Wednesday evening, and was
conveyed to Sheriff Shoemaker and
Coroner Lierle about sis o'clock. Wam-
pach, who is a German, had been act
ing strangely all day, or since his re-
turn, on tuesday evening, from his old
home in Dubuque, where he had gone
last Saturday with view of remaining
away on ten days furlough. Wednes-
day, nearly all day, he spent in walking
aimlessly to and fro in front of the wom-
ans dormitory. OF course his actions
were not considered at all peculiar al
the time, but now that his life was taken
by himself 1t can be seen that from his
actions Wednesday he must have been
premeditating the deed. During the
afternoon Wednesday he Went to the Of
flee Of Quartermaster B. A. Beeson, and
asked for piece Of heavy Irvine. which
he said he desired to use In fixing his
bunk 1t is thought that ne at first in
tended hanging himself, but finding
that the twine was not strong enough,
concluded to try drowning.
At about 4:30 O'clock Wampach went
to the river, at a deep point near the ice
houses. Here he took off his coat ana
vest, which contained his pocketbook.
with $50 enclosed, and a silver watch
and chain. Arranging them carefully
on the bank, together with his hat. he
plunged into the river. The deed of self
destruction was witnessed by comrade,
Joseph Morlock, who was up the river q
short distance. Morlock did not recog-
rize at first who the man was, but he
knew that it was an extraordinary pro-
.ceedlng to see man jump into the wa
ter at this season OF the year. and with
Els clothes on. He fastened to the spot
and saw wampach struggling at the top
&C the water and gasping for breath.
Morlock could find nothing to aid him in
assisting the man, and not being very
good swimmer himself he Cid not like to
risk going In after him. He made for the
ice houses, only a short distance away,
and sought the assistance OF couple OF
men who were working there. With ice
hooks the men hurried to the river bank
and, catching the hooks In Wampach's
clothing. brought him to shore. There
were slight evidences of life, but they
were very slight, only a gasp or two be-
ing noticeable. Efforts at resuscitation
were INDUCED in, the body being rolled
backward and forward to get the water
cut. All efforts were OF no avail, how
ever, and life was soon pronounced ex-
tinct. IN
Sheriff Shoemaker and Coroner Lierle
arrived at the river at about $50 O'clock,
but after examining into the details of
The case the coroner decided that the
evidences of suicide were conclusive,
and that there was no necessity OF hold
ing an inquest.
Connmandant Horton is unable to sur
mise any motive for the death OF Wam-
pach. It is limited by a member Of
the Home who knew him that as the
man did not stay In Dubuque as long as
he had intended and had been so morose
since returning, troubles there had been
preying on his mind. This. however, is
only conjecture. He was always known
as man of quiet disposit!on,and when
he made his furlough report at head
quarters Wednesday morning. nothing
out of the ordinary was noticeable in
his demeanor.
Wampach WAS man OF "a years OF
age, and was born in Luxembourg, Ger
many. He came to the home last April
from Dubuque. having resided in that
city and in the county of Dubuque for
many years. He was veteran OF
Company G, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, hav-
ing enlisted Sept. 30, 1863, at Dubuque,
and was discharged on Aug. 49, 1865. at
Macon, Ca, on account of the end of the
war; His entrance papers at the Home
give the name of one son. NJ. Wampach.
Living at Bernard. Dubuque county. The
name of Nicholas Wampach, Dubuque,
was also given as one to be notified In
case OF death. NJ. Wampach. at Ber-
nard. was notified by telegraph Wednes-
day night. Up to noon no reply had
been received, NJ. Wampach being a res
.ident of the country. eight miles distant
from Bernard. The delivery charges
were, therefore, guarantees and an an
-,,,ar to axpactad the afternoon