The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-11-20
AUGUST CARAUX
ENDS HIS LIFE
AFTER PENNlNG A LETTER
TO MRS. M'klNlEY
Aged Wife Died Without
Knowing Of Tragedy.
LUCK WAS AGAINST HIM

Pathetic Story of an Old Man Who Had
Known Only Disappointments-
Jumped of West Greek Bridge in
the Darkness of the Night-Wife and
Lying side by side in a poorly fur
nished room in the dingy GarauX home
on West Seventh street, are the bodies
of August Garaux and Mrs. Justine
GarauX, his wife, whose final summons
came but a few hours apart. The
aged woman, suffering in the last
stages of typhoid fever, and in an un-
conscious condition, passed away with
out knowing of the tragic death of her
life companion. who despairing of his
wifes recovery, threw himself into
the waters of the Nimisbillen creek.
These sad misfortunes came about in
such a remarkable short space of time
that it is hardly possible for the chill
dren and relatives TO realize the death
of the old couple. Sunday night al
though the mothers condition was not
encouraging, the old man retired as
usual with his stepson, who had been
keeping watch over the sick patient
Monday morning at o'clock GarauX
was found half submerged in the west
branch of the Nimshilen just under
the West Tuscarawas street bridge.
The news of the tragic ending had
barely been circulated among the rel
atives when Mrs. Garaux passed away
peacefully. and all was ended.
Almost frantic with grief, the old
man, during the illness of his wife, had
borne up remarkably. Hard pressed
for finances, when in a spell of melon
cholia, he hastily penned off an appeal
for help, presumably addressed to
MRS. IDA MCKINLEY.
This note, written apparently by a
nervous hand. was found in Garaux's
clothes when he was removed from the
creek Monday morning The note is
addressed to Mrs. M. and from what
could be learned from relatives the old
man had told friend that he intended
to appeal TO the wife of the martyred
president for means with which to meet |
the doctor bills and those for the nurse |
and other necessaries.
Sunday night Garaux retired with !
his step-son ]. e. Boigegrain. About |
4:30 Monday morning Boigegrain woke |
up and finding that his step-father was |
missing, az once became alarmed He |
called to the rest of the occupants of |
the house. but no one knew where the |
old man was Fearing that worry |
would drive him to desperate deeds, a |
search was at once instituted, Boige- !
grain with several others started out |
with lanterns and almost four hours
were spent until the dead body was dis
covered. Boigegraln, fearing the worst.
made one trip to the creek, but failed |
to find any traces of his father-in-iaw.
A second trip at about 8 o'clock was
made by Boigegrain, and lying partly |
SUBMERGED IN WATER
just under the bridge. he found the
form OF the old gentleman He appar-
emily had jumped into the water above
the bridge and the current carried the
body down where it was later found.
During the search the condition of
Mrs. GarauX steadily grew worse and at
10 o'clock she expired shortly after
dead body had arrived at the home.
The woman's death was due to typhoid
fever with which she had suffered for
four weeks.
GarauX, II Is believed, was dement,
c fIe Slipped away from the home in
his carpet slippers and without a coat.
His black coat was still hanging in the |
.4uh haH
ed by the man on Sunday night. Max
ing his way to the Westlawn cemetery
between ] and 2 o'clock, Garaux stag
gered through the gates of the grave
yard and walked into the entrance way
of the Mckinley tomb. The guards
intercepted him before he reached the
gates Of the vault aid led him out of |
the cemetery. 1t Is supposed that he |
then went direct to the creek where he |
ended mis- sufferings.
Garaux WAS misfortunate In almost
all Of his undertakings During the
past ycai, however, things had been
running smoothly and as he remarked
himself Things were turning his way
al last" Born in Switzerland, Garaux |
emigrated TO this country after serving
In the Swiss army. He took I'D his |
residence when yet single In Canton
over 25 years ago. He worked in the |
Diebold Safe and Lock company, but
later removed to Fredericksburg, Wayne |
county, where he married.
Mrs. Justine Garaux. who had reach
ed ~ years, as well as her husband,
was
DEEPLY RELIGIOUS.