The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-05-20
Ed. D. Keplinger
Used Knife to
End His Life.
Afflicted With an Incur
able Disease He Pre-
ferred to Hasten
the End.


home, 427 South Market street, Fri
day morning. All the vessels in the
neck were severed and he died in a
few minutes after the wound was in
fictei. Mr.. Keplinger's mind has been
failing for several months over the
worry of an incurable disease and in a
ft of alteration he ended his life.
The wound was inflicted with large
bread knife having a sharp serrated
blade. The knife had been secreted
in the bathroom at his home, where
the suicide was accomplished. Mrs.
Keplinger and her sister, Mrs. Louisa
Shane were the only people in the
house at the time.
Mrs. Keplinger heard the fall OF
her husbands body, and divining what
he had done, rushed to the door, crying
out for aid. DR.. James Fraunfelter,
whose residence adjoins that of the
Keplingers, Immediately rushed into
the house, but found Mr.. Keplinger be-
yond reach of aid. Mrs. Keplinger
SHAVED BEFORE DEATH.
Mr.. Keplinger was about the house
during the morning and few minutes
before the act was committed he
shaved himself in his room under
the eyes OF his wife. Mrs. Keplinger
and Mrs. Shane have been keeping
him under surveillance for some time
past, fearing that he might make such
an attempt. His revolver and razor
were hidden from him.
The unfortunate man has been fail
ing in health for several years. He
was afflicted with locomotor ataxia
and knowing that the disease was
incurable he worried to such an extent
over the trouble that about three
months ago his mind began to fail him.
He was manager of the Imperial
Shale Brick plant of the Metropolitan
Brick company, of which his nephew,
Warren f. Keplinger, is president.
The fact that he has been unable to
attend to his duties of late preyed on
his mind and aggravated the despon-
dency that his illness induced.
HAD THREATENED SUICIDE.
Some months ago he made a trip tc
Atlantic City for his health and re-
manned at the seaside for a month
He returned not much improved in
health. The gradual failing of his in.
tellect was noted by his family anG
friends but no thought that he con.
templated suicide was entertained un
til several days ago.
During the past few days he com
planned to his wife that life was MOI
worth living, that his days were mark.
ed by the disease which held him ant
that 1t would be relief to end his
suffering at once.
These statements alarmed his wifi
and she took means to remove any
weapons from where he might lay his
hands on them. A revolver which be
longed to him and razor she removed
from their usual resting places ant
hid them
On Thursday afternoon Mr.. KEEP
finger walked into the dining room
VII ere his wife was seated and lai'
the large bread knife on a stand,
has a wicked steel blade, very heav.
and with a serrated edge like saw.
ALARMING CONDUCT.
Mrs. Keplinger became alarmed an,
asked him what he wanted with tn
knife. He answered, God onl,
knows" Mrs. Keplinger removed tn
knife. but he secured it again and sc
creted 1t in the bathroom.
Mr. KepliDger showed some symp
toms OF mental alteration during Fri
day morning. He made a little shop
ping excursion shortly before o'clocl
and returned towards the house witt
several packages in his hand.
In seeking his home, he wandere,
into the Office of DR.. M. M. Catlin mex
door. DR.. Catlin was busy at the time
but noticing Mr.. Keplinger he wakes
into the side room to talk to him. TIL
man threw up his hands in dismay
seeming to realize where his steps ha
led him and he backed from the room
In leaving the building he stood at tn
window of DR.. DaHinden's Office 70
several minutes and then ascended tn
steps and seated himself on the porc
in front of his home.
WANTED TO SHAVE.
Dr. Catlin followed him up the step
and asked him whether he was II
Mr. Keplingerr regained himself an
answered very cleverly, Il have bee
real bad. bat am getting better."s-
few minutes later he entered tn
house and went to his room, annonnc
Ing that he would shave himself. Mri
Koplineer thinking that he might tr
% kin himself with the razor. wen
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